Schmeichel Critiques United’s Transfer Decisions on Hojlund and Sesko

Peter Schmeichel, the former Manchester United goalkeeper, has expressed his concerns over the club’s recent transfer decisions. He criticized the acquisition of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig and the loan of Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli during the summer transfer window. The financial details of Sesko’s transfer included a fee of £66.26 million, plus an additional £7.36 million in add-ons.

While Sesko has struggled to find his form initially at United, he recently scored in consecutive matches, raising hopes among fans. In contrast, Hojlund, who joined Napoli on a season-long loan in September, has made an impressive start, scoring four goals in his first six games. Schmeichel argues that allowing Hojlund to leave while bringing in Sesko was a misguided decision.

In a recent episode of the BBC podcast “Sacked in the Morning,” Schmeichel stated, “The signing of Benjamin Sesko was a little bit weird to me because we have had Rasmus Hojlund, who has been starved of service for two years.” He pointed out that Hojlund’s current success at Napoli, playing alongside stars like Kevin De Bruyne, highlights the striker’s potential when provided with the right support.

Schmeichel emphasized that Manchester United has more pressing issues to address, particularly in the goalkeeper position and defensive midfield. He noted, “This season alone we’ve conceded nine goals from goalkeeping errors.” The former goalkeeper referenced a historical standard, where players like Edwin van der Sar and David de Gea were expected to secure points through strong performances.

The criticism also extended to the recruitment strategy at United. Schmeichel questioned the rationale behind acquiring Sesko when the club had not adequately addressed their defensive needs. “We let him [Hojlund] go on the stats that he scored very little last season and bring Sesko in at the time we bring in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo, who would give Hojlund first-class service,” he said.

Despite Schmeichel’s strong stance, opinions differ on the decisions made by the club. While Hojlund had a challenging time at United, including a significant goal drought, he has demonstrated his ability to score in Serie A. In 95 appearances for United, he netted only 26 goals, with a disappointing 14 goals in 62 Premier League matches.

Critics argue that Hojlund’s struggles should not solely be attributed to the team’s creative players. Some believe he lacked the adaptability to thrive in United’s system. Schmeichel pointed out the potential of Sesko to create opportunities independently, contrasting with Hojlund’s reliance on service.

As the season progresses, Manchester United’s decisions will be scrutinized further. With Andre Onana’s performance in goal raising concerns, the need for a reliable goalkeeper remains critical. The club did bring in Senne Lammens late in the transfer window, but many feel an experienced option would have been more beneficial earlier in the summer.

Ultimately, while Schmeichel’s critiques highlight valid concerns regarding Manchester United’s strategy, the effectiveness of the transfer decisions will only become clear as the season unfolds. The club’s future success may hinge on their ability to address the foundational issues that have plagued them in recent years.