Manchester United fans have watched both Benjamin Šeško and Rasmus Højlund lead the attack at Old Trafford, and the debate is getting hotter by the day.
Both arrived young, both carried huge expectations, and both were expected to become the long-term answer to United’s No. 9 problem. But their time at the club has produced very different conversations.
Šeško has looked like the more natural fit for United’s attacking system. His height, pace, strength and movement give defenders plenty to worry about, while his ability to attack space and get into dangerous positions has made him a bigger presence inside the box.
United’s first season with Šeško was particularly encouraging. He finished the 2025/26 campaign with 12 goals in all competitions and was joint-top scorer for the club alongside Bryan Mbeumo. He also earned the United Player of the Month award in February after making a major impact. (Manchester United)
Højlund, meanwhile, struggled to consistently find his rhythm at United. He scored 26 goals in 95 appearances before eventually leaving for Napoli, where he enjoyed a much stronger 2025/26 campaign, scoring 16 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions. (Reuters)
And that is what makes this debate so interesting. Højlund clearly had the ability, but United often struggled to get the best out of him. Šeško appears to offer more variety in his game, especially with his movement, physical presence and ability to contribute beyond simply finishing chances.
The numbers also make the argument even more interesting. Šeško averaged 3.4 shots per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season, compared with Højlund’s 1.4 in his final United campaign. His non-penalty expected goals were also significantly higher, suggesting that Šeško was consistently finding more dangerous positions. (Opta Analyst)
But should we completely write off Højlund?
Absolutely not. His improvement in Italy showed that there was always a striker inside him. Sometimes the problem was not simply the player, but the system, service and circumstances around him. His Napoli spell proved that he can score goals when given the right environment.
Still, if you are judging the two based specifically on what they bring to Manchester United, Šeško currently has the stronger case.
He looks more complete, more threatening in the box and potentially better suited to the way United want their No. 9 to play.
The biggest question now is whether Šeško can take that next step and become the ruthless goalscorer United have been desperately searching for.
So, Manchester United fans…
Šeško or Højlund?
Who is the better striker?
