Forget Sesko, sign African star instead - Rio Ferdinand tells Man Utd

Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United to prioritise signing a midfielder over a new striker

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has urged the club’s leadership to abandon their pursuit of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and instead focus on strengthening the midfield with one standout African talent at the top of his wishlist.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand made a compelling case for Manchester United to invest their limited transfer funds in the rising star Carlos Baleba, rather than adding another inexperienced forward to the squad.

What Ferdinand said

He said, "I’m not really doubting \[Sesko] as a player. I’m saying Manchester United needs experience at the top of the pitch. They’ve already got Højlund, Zirkzee, and Chido, they’re all young and inexperienced. They need someone who can show them how to lead the line at the highest level. Do we really want to gamble on a player who’s still raw?"

Sesko, has been on United’s radar following the departures of other targets such as Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool and Liam Delap to Chelsea.

But Ferdinand believes United's attacking issues can't be solved by another youthful addition and that priorities need to shift.

Instead, Ferdinand turned the spotlight on 20-year-old Cameroonian midfielder Carlos Baleba, who has impressed with his dynamism and intelligence in the Premier League.

He said, "There’s only one name I’m thinking about, I’ve got to be honest, who I think fits the bill for what we need. If it were me, I’d splash the cash on Baleba. He’s got the energy, the legs, the tactical awareness, everything you need to dominate midfield."

Baleba has been linked with several top European clubs and Ferdinand sees him as a perfect fit for new manager Rúben Amorim’s high-intensity 3-4-3 system.