Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko opted for Old Trafford over St James’ Park in the summer transfer windowSteven Railston Manchester United Writer and Sean McCormick Newcastle United reporter
08:00, 11 Oct 2025
Manchester United’s summer signings Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
The summer transfer window already feels like a long time ago.
The 2025/26 season is beginning to take shape and a number of new signings have already made a first impression – both good and bad – at their new clubs.
Newcastle United are no different, with club record signing Nick Woltemade firing in four goals in seven appearances already, and Malick Thiaw making a seamless transition to English football.
Meanwhile, injuries have curtailed the progress of Jacob Ramsey and Yoane Wissa so far and Aaron Ramsdale has been unable to usurp Nick Pope from his starting position in goal.
Two players that were heavily linked with moves to Newcastle in the summer were Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko but both ended up snubbing the Magpies to sign for Manchester United instead.
Mbeumo joined the Red Devils from Brentford in a deal worth up to £71million and he has already became an integral member of Ruben Amorim’s starting XI.
Sesko’s progress since his £73.7million move from RB Leipzig to Old Trafford has been much slower and he was criticised for taking the 10th penalty in their shock penalty shootout defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.
The Slovenian international has eventually managed to get in the side and did grab two goals before the international break but his impact up front has not been as immediate or eye-catching as his fellow former Bundesliga forward, Woltemade.
With that in mind, Chronicle Live caught up with the Manchester Evening News’ Manchester United correspondent Steven Railston to get the inside track on how the pair have started life in the North West of England.
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What was it that attracted Man United to move for Mbeumo and Sesko?
“Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle were linked with a move for Mbuemo at the end of last season, but the player indicated that he preferred a move to Old Trafford at the beginning of the window.”United sources said Mbeumo made it clear from the outset his desire to join the club and never budged from that position, so it’s no wonder that other sides did not pursue their interest. In terms of the reasons why Mbeumo was so keen to join, United is regarded by international players as the biggest club in England, ensuring they still carry appeal even when they are in the doldrums.”The suggestion that United agreed to a mouthwatering salary is not true. Mbeumo is thought to be earning a competitive rate for a player of his quality – slightly more than Newcastle would offer, but not by much. Ineos have lowered the wage bill since gaining control of football operations.”Newcastle fans probably scratched their heads trying to understand why Mbeumo preferred a move to United. They were objectively in a better position as a club thanks to Eddie Howe’s great work, but the chance to play for a global institution is sometimes enough to sway players, especially those from abroad, because they know they will become a global star. The carrot of being part of the United dressing room that brings success back to the football club is dangled. “The Sesko situation was different. United and Newcastle were essentially in a bidding war for the striker, who was receptive to moving to both clubs, but he eventually decided he preferred a move to Manchester.”During Sesko’s unveiling interview, he said that a combination of the club’s status and the team’s potential was the reason behind his decision. In the past, United would offer the best wages, but again, they have lowered the wage bill and are still able to land top targets, partly due to the club’s reputation.”I did not fully appreciate the scale of the club myself until I worked for the M.E.N. They are a giant in every corner of the globe, with only Real Madrid and Barcelona ranking ahead in size.”
How have they started at Manchester United?
“Mbeumo was signed in time to travel to the United States pre-season tour in the summer, but he was only fit enough to feature in the final game.
“Nonetheless, he started on the opening day of the Premier League season against Arsenal and made an immediate impact down the right side. Mbeumo scored his first goal in the embarrassing defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second round, although he did miss the decisive penalty to ensure The Mariners completed a giant-killing.
“He quickly put that disappointment behind him by scoring in the next game against Burnley. United have collectively been poor as a team, but Mbeumo has performed well and should be pleased with his start. United has been a graveyard for some players, but Mbeumo simply looks too good to decline in a red shirt. “Sesko’s start hasn’t been as impressive. Amorim preferred to play Mount down the middle for the first three games of the campaign, and Sesko looked rusty when he made appearances from the bench.
“It was interesting to hear him speak during the September international break and admit he needed time to adapt to the demands of the Premier League after operating in the Bundesliga.
“Amorim has reiterated the same point during press conferences. However, Sesko has progressed in recent weeks, forcing his way into the starting team, and he scored his first goal against Brentford, which was followed by another against Sunderland.
“Sesko promised there was still more to come after netting against the Black Cats, and it seems like he’s now really starting to find his feet.
Sesko has scored a couple of goals now but looks like he has taken a while to settle, unlike Nick Woltemade at Newcastle. Is that a fair assessment?
“Amorim needs to deliver results now, not tomorrow, and he requires a striker who can consistently find the back of the net. Sesko looks to have the wind behind his sails after scoring twice in a week and it will be interesting to see how he performs after the international break, but there is no denying he made a slow start.
“Every young striker arriving from abroad should be given time to adapt to the Premier League – and that is why Woltemade’s impact at St. James’ Park has been so impressive.
“It’s not easy to make a seamless transition to life in England, and it will be fascinating to see how Sesko and Woltemade compare by the end of the campaign.”
Manchester United made sure they had a more financially lucrative package on the table for Mbeumo that Newcastle weren’t willing to match. Has he been worth that investment so far?
“Brentford are tough negotiators and United finally reached a breakthrough to sign Mbeumo at their third attempt, agreeing a package of £65m plus £6m in add-ons for the Cameroon international.
“It’s impossible to say whether he has been worth that fee given we’re just seven games into the season, but he’s made a very good start to vindicating that price tag.
“The fee for Mbeumo has not been mentioned once in the national media, and that should tell how he is performing because media outlets don’t miss a chance to criticise United for transfer fees (the majority of the criticism has been valid).”
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