Man United's new number nine: Ollie Watkins vs Benjamin Sesko statistical battle

It looks increasingly likely that either Ollie Watkins or Benjamin Sesko will be Manchester United's next signing this window. The forward duo are the two options that are on the club's shortlist to add a new much-needed striker to Ruben Amorim's squad.

Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic reports that United have narrowed their search for a new number nine down to the pair. They are ruling out Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson due to the Blues' demands (thank god).

Watkins is liked because he's Premier League proven and at 29 he's the finished article who can be an immediate impact player. That's arguably needed up top given Rasmus Hojlund, 22, and Joshua Zirkzee, 23, have struggled under the pressure.

Sesko at 22 is eyed for his high potential having impressed at RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig. The Slovenian is a risk but could be one that majorly pays off in the future if he can replicate the likes of Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland.

Aston Villa reportedly value Watkins at £60m which doesn't fit United's £40-45m assessment and Sesko is priced at around £69m and Newcastle United a real contender.

We've done the calculations (via Squawka) regarding what both would bring to Old Trafford by looking at their statistics from their 2024-25 league campaigns and it makes for compelling reading.

Man United's new number nine: Watkins vs Sesko

Finishing

The most important attribute for any striker is finding the back of the net and Watkins and Sesko do that extremely well. They aren't afraid to try their luck with the Villa striker registering 67 shots to the Leipzig man's 50.

Sesko is the more accurate of the pair, with a shot accuracy of 62% to Watkins' 59.7% so there isn't much in it. But it's the Englishman who was superior in front of goal last season, managing 16 goals to the Slovenian's 13.

That includes 14 that weren't from the spot for the England international and he was on target in big games against Arsenal and Liverpool. The Slovenia international managed 11 non-penalty goals, one of which was an outrageous goal against Bayern Munich.

Hojlund and Zirkzee's poor form last season was a huge factor behind Amorim's struggle to get his side on a consistent winning run. They lacked clinical finishing which isn't an issue for Sesko whose conversation rate was at 26% to Watkins' 23.88%, that may be something for Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell to consider.

Creativity

It's all well and good leading the line but it's all key that the desired centre-forward function in Amorim's team. We saw how the Portuguese got the best out of Viktor Gyokeres, playing him alongside 10s and he occasionally turned provider despite his prolific goalscoring.

On the creativity front it's an interesting matchup between Watkins and Sesko. Given that the latter is a proper marksman at six-foot-five-inches, it's not surprising that the Premier League striker is a superior assister.

Watkins managed eight assists last season while Sesko produced five, both decent numbers for players leading the line. It feels as though the Villans man is the better option to combine with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo because of his adaptability, dropping out wide to allow a wide man to come in centrally if required.

The former Brentford frontman is ahead of the ex-Salzburg youngster when it comes to chances created. He put up 24 to his strike counterpart's 17, again more than acceptable numbers for their profiles with Hojlund managing 16.

Sesko played his man through on goal on more occasions, with three through balls to Watkins' one. There's also a huge gap between them for forward passes, with the Slovenian playing 130 to the Englishman's 69 although that speaks volumes of their respective teams' brand of football.

Possession

This is probably an attribute Amorim will have done plenty of research on both because his team continuously squandered golden opportunities on the break last season with poor possessional play. It's Sesko who is the more physically dominant than Watkins and understandbly so given their differing body frames.

Sesko managed a take on success percentage of 54.93 last season, while Watkins came in with 27.03. The hardworking Brit then shaded fouls won with 33 to the Bundesliga star's 20.

Hojlund hasn't used his six-foot-three-inch frame effectively at United and you could argue Sesko is the ultimate upgrade on him due to their similarities. He was excellent in the air last season, winning 57.38% of his aerial battles to Watkins' 41.27%.

It's another Sesko win on the ground duel front, as he won 36.67% of his while Watkins managed 32.32%. Interceptions goes the way of the latter likely in part due to Villa's press with eight to Sesko's five.

Keeping hold of the ball will be important for either to thrive in Amorim's system and Watkins is the better option in this regard. He lost posession 259 times to Sesko's 356 while he also easily beats the powerful forward with touches in the oppossion box with a record of 182 to 98.

Watkins or Sesko?

United need the ready made article who can immediately hit their stride with an understanding of Premier League football. Sesko feels a luxury signing while Watkins is the necessity that could help turn the tide alongside Mbeumo and Cunha with his pressing and goalscoring resume.

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