Manchester United’s summer signing Benjamin Šeško has been the subject of early scrutiny after his £74 million ($100.2 million) move from RB Leipzig. The 22-year-old has arrived in England at a time when several other high-profile forwards have hit the ground running, with Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitiké, Arsenal’s Viktor Gyökeres and Chelsea’s João Pedro all making goalscoring starts elsewhere in the Premier League.

That context has intensified expectation around Šeško, but former United defender Rio Ferdinand has urged restraint. “He needs to get up to speed with the Premier League and that’s going to take at least a month before he can even start thinking he’s in a good enough position to put his best foot forward,” Ferdinand told the Daily Mail. “Listen, he’s a young kid. He’s got huge potential, that’s not in doubt. But potential and proving it are two different things. It wouldn’t be right to say whether he can do it or not, time will be the biggest teller of all.”

Ferdinand’s comments underline a common view among former players and pundits that adaptation to the Premier League can take time, especially for a young striker joining a club under significant pressure to deliver immediate returns.

That pressure has been compounded by criticism from another ex-United forward. Louis Saha has predicted Šeško will struggle in his debut season with the Red Devils, pointing to Manchester United’s lack of midfield signings over the summer as a factor that could hinder his integration and goalscoring chances.

Šeško’s confidence may also have been affected by his recent international outings. During the September break the striker failed to score as Slovenia drew with Sweden and suffered defeat to Switzerland in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying. For now, both club and player will be hoping that a single goal at Old Trafford or in the league can alter the narrative and accelerate his settling-in period.

The manager’s clear tactical blueprint shaped United’s transfer business in the summer, with signings aimed at fitting a predictable system and, crucially, improving an attack that struggled last season. United finished 15th in the Premier League and were bereft of a Europa League trophy to compensate.

Goalkeeping was a priority after uncertainty over existing options. Amorim has shown little faith in André Onana, while Altay Bayındır’s flaws have been too obvious for him to emerge as a long-term No. 1. United signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for a modest fee and the early indicators suggest he could assume the starting role straight away.

At the back, Leny Yoro stands out as the most gifted defender in the squad. He suffered an early injury setback but has since looked the part: an imposing operator with timing and recovery traits that point to a long-term role. Harry Maguire can still do a job in the manager’s back three, but Amorim has preferred De Ligt to start the season. The Dutchman is a physical operator who excels at man-marking robust attackers, though he struggles against nimble opponents and when defending wide areas.

Any defence looks stronger with a fully fit Lisandro Martínez. His height remains a talking point and his 2025 has been blighted by injury, but Martínez brings control in possession and the ability to set the tone with committed challenges.

On the flanks, Amad looks destined for a wing-back role. He was one of the brighter sparks in a difficult 2024–25 campaign and offers dynamism and a bit of magic down the right. The relationship between Amad and the summer arrival Bryan Mbeumo could prove pivotal; Mbeumo arrives after his best campaign to date and has been efficient in front of goal.

In midfield, Mainoo is the academy graduate with the highest ceiling and must be integrated effectively. He nearly left on loan in the summer but remains a piece Amorim should prioritise. Casemiro has shown signs of revival under Amorim, who has asked the veteran to cover less ground without the ball. United did not sufficiently strengthen their engine room in the window and alternatives remain limited.

Up front, Cunha was the first major signing and Amorim has begun to use a false nine. Benjamin Šeško would be an ideal option but will need time to adapt. For now United possess a front three built for combination play but one that lacks a dominant aerial presence in the box.

Michael Owen set off a public debate after a social media outburst in which he offered a detailed statistical comparison of himself and Wayne Rooney from the early stages of their careers. According to the original exchange, Owen listed his achievements and rejected suggestions that Rooney was the superior youngster, framing the discussion in numbers and milestones.

Rooney chose a measured response, addressing the issue on The Wayne Rooney Show and refusing to escalate the exchange. He said: “Michael and I are very different players,” he said on The Wayne Rooney Show . “I used to go out on the street and pretend to be Michael Owen—even though he played for Liverpool.

“I think his comments are fair. Of course, he’s going to back himself. I’d back myself. But, I’d never judge myself against Michael Owen because he’s someone I actually looked up to and had the pleasure of playing alongside.”

The episode underlines two truths about the pair that featured heavily in the original discussion. Owen emerged as a spectacular young goalscorer, making an immediate impact and collecting high-profile recognition early in his career. He was the second-youngest Ballon d’Or winner ever in 2001, a fact often cited when comparing the two forwards at similar ages.

Rooney’s reply steered away from recrimination and towards perspective. The piece at hand notes that while Owen was certainly the more gifted finisher in his breakthrough years, Rooney’s career is distinguished by longevity and technical quality. That combination is presented as the basis for judging Rooney’s overall standing in football rather than focusing solely on early statistical advantage.

The exchange is notable for its frankness and for Rooney’s diplomatic tone in reply. It leaves the comparison framed both by Owen’s early brilliance and by Rooney’s sustained contribution over the course of his career.