Peter Schmeichel claims Manchester United did not need to sign Benjamin Sesko this summer and claims two other transfers should have been made a priority after the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
Ruben Amorim’s team failed to present a notable challenge in the initial Manchester derby of the season on Sunday, as Phil Foden’s header and a brace from Erling Haaland secured the victory for Pep Guardiola’s squad at the Etihad Stadium.
Meanwhile, Sesko continues to seek his first goal for United after his £73 million transfer from RB Leipzig during the summer transfer window.
United also enhanced Amorim’s attacking capabilities with the acquisitions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo; however, Schmeichel believes that his former club should have made substantial investments in a new goalkeeper and a central midfielder.
Senne Lammens was brought in by United, but the 23-year-old goalkeeper had only made 54 appearances in the Belgian Pro League prior to his move to Old Trafford.
‘Regarding the players that have been signed, Cunha for example, I think in the three matches he has participated in – he exited early in the game against Burnley – yes, I have observed potential for future development, something we can build upon,’ Schmeichel stated to Premier League Productions.
‘Bryan Mbeumo is similar; yes, it is quite promising. This represents progress in terms of the team’s development.
‘Currently, I do not perceive it. The problem is that it was abundantly clear throughout last season and has not been resolved.
‘Indeed, we did not score enough goals, so they recruited players capable of scoring; however, they allocated funds for the third one – it is nothing personal against Sesko – but we did not require a third striker; we needed a central midfielder who can manage that area of the pitch, and we required a goalkeeper.
‘Those were the challenges we faced last season, and they remain unaddressed.’
Schmeichel further remarked: ‘It is nothing personal against him; I simply do not comprehend why we needed to sign a third striker or an additional forward.
‘Rasmus Hojlund has been struggling; he has been stifled by the team, receiving no service whatsoever. And now we have signed Cunha and Mbeumo, players who will support the attack.
‘He played for Napoli, and after 13 minutes, he made a run that he has executed time and again; the ball reached him, and he scored.
‘Currently, there is a young player who possesses all that experience, has endured all the criticism, and is beloved by fans for his fighting spirit, with Manchester United in his sights. I fail to understand why that transfer occurred.’
Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves then proposed that United should have pursued Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
‘You acquire Hojlund, who I believe will develop into an excellent striker, but there is significant pressure; we have witnessed this with Marcus [Rashford] and [Anthony] Martial. They were too young to handle that burden alone,’ Hargreaves remarked.
‘Furthermore, Hojlund’s situation is complicated as he has to go out on loan, and then you opt to purchase another player of the same age in Sesko.
‘If you are going to proceed with this strategy, they have Cunha and Mbeumo, who are ready-made Premier League players, yet you choose a striker who is 22 and unproven at this level.
‘If you have already made such a move in this transfer window, why not acquire another player, like Ollie Watkins or someone similar who is prepared? The same logic applies to the goalkeeper position.’
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