Manchester United have officially confirmed the signing of highly-rated Slovenian striker Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig, capping off a busy summer of recruitment under new manager Ruben Amorim. The 22-year-old was presented to the Old Trafford faithful on Saturday, August 9, 2025, just before the club’s final pre-season friendly, a 0-0 draw against Italian side Fiorentina.
The club announced the arrival of Šeško, described as “one of the world’s most exceptional young talents,” in a deal reportedly worth an initial €75 million plus €10 million in performance-related bonuses. The towering 6ft 5in forward chose United despite a rival bid from Newcastle United, expressing a clear preference to join Amorim’s project in Manchester. Šeško arrives with a formidable reputation, having scored 21 goals for RB Leipzig last season and drawn comparisons to elite strikers like Erling Haaland for his blend of size, speed, and clinical finishing.
His signing represents a significant overhaul of United’s attack, which has also been bolstered this summer by the arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. The investment signals a clear intent to address the goal-scoring struggles of the previous season and provide Amorim with the firepower needed to implement his system. In an interview with the club’s media, Amorim discussed the new signing, expressing his excitement about the qualities Šeško will bring to the team.
Before the on-pitch action, fans gave a warm welcome to both Šeško and a returning hero. Former United goalkeeper David De Gea, who now plays for Fiorentina, was greeted with a hero’s welcome as he led the visitors out as captain for the Snapdragon Cup match. The game marked the conclusion of a successful pre-season for the Red Devils, which saw them lift the Premier League Summer Series trophy in the United States after victories against West Ham and Bournemouth, and a decisive 2-2 draw with Everton.
For the final warm-up fixture, Amorim handed home debuts to new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who started in a front three alongside Mason Mount. The lineup also featured youngster Ayden Heaven in a three-man defence alongside Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro, with Altay Bayındır in goal as André Onana continues his recovery from injury. The match itself was a tightly contested affair, ending in a goalless stalemate. Despite the lack of goals, it provided a valuable final run-out for the squad ahead of the competitive season.
The starting XI for Manchester United was: Bayındır; Yoro, Maguire, Heaven; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes (c), Dorgu; Mbeumo, Mount; Cunha. Fiorentina’s lineup featured several familiar names, including De Gea and former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.
With their pre-season schedule complete, Manchester United now turn their full attention to the Premier League opener. The team’s preparations under their new manager have fostered a sense of growing confidence, as Amorim noted in a recent message to supporters. The Reds will kick off their 2025/26 campaign with a highly anticipated clash against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, August 17.
Sources: Manchester United Official Website, Digital Trends Today, ESPN
