Former Manchester United defender Quinton Fortune has urged the club to sign a new striker before the summer transfer window closes, naming Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson as a viable option to support Benjamin Sesko. Fortune's comments come after Sesko's mixed first season at Old Trafford, where he scored 12 goals in 32 appearances following his £73m move from RB Leipzig.
Sesko's Struggles and United's Striker Dilemma
Sesko endured a poor first half of the campaign but improved after Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim as manager. However, doubts remain about whether the Slovenia international is the long-term answer, with Michael Owen recently admitting he had 'doubts' about Sesko's suitability.
Fortune, who won the Premier League under Sir Alex Ferguson, told Premier Bet that Carrick 'needs another striker' to 'push for the Premier League and play in the Champions League'. He highlighted the need for squad depth, comparing United's current situation to his own playing days when the club had multiple top strikers.
Jackson as a Potential Option
Jackson is linked with a permanent move away from Chelsea after spending last season on loan at Bayern Munich. Aston Villa and Newcastle United have both made approaches for the Senegal international, who Chelsea value at £65m. Fortune believes United should consider a move.
'I think United need another striker because I think Benjamin Sesko scored 12 goals last season and Bruno Fernandes got nine,' Fortune said. 'The team needs more but we do have to remember that Sesko is still a young player with a big responsibility coming to United and having to carry the team up front by himself.'
Fortune added: 'In my time, we were very fortunate to have Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Teddy Sheringham, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole. Then Ruud Van Nistelrooy came later and Wayne Rooney, and a youngster could come into the team and look up to Van Nistelrooy or Andy Cole or Dwight Yorke or Teddy Sheringham. Benjamin Sesko is having to do all that himself, and what if he picks up an injury? So United need another striker, and if you are pushing for the Premier League and playing in the Champions League, you need a bigger squad.'
Fortune's Assessment of Jackson
Fortune described Jackson as an 'option' for United, noting his loan spell at Bayern Munich and his goal-scoring instincts. 'He's coming off his loan at Bayern Munich and keeps getting clubs so he must have something,' Fortune said. 'I see him as more of a goal poacher. If you look at the purest of the pure footballers, he's not a striker to bring it down and play it like Dimitar Berbatov or Wayne Rooney or Dwight Yorke but that's what I like about him too.'
Fortune compared Jackson to Erling Haaland in terms of his focus on scoring. 'He's just an out-and-out striker. He doesn't really care about anything else apart from getting into the box and getting on the end of whatever service he's provided, and there's nothing wrong with that. That's still the hardest part of the game. He's almost like Erling Haaland at times and he shouldn't get involved in the play so much. Tell the other guys they can do all the hard work and I'll score the goals.'
However, Fortune expressed caution about whether Jackson is the right fit for United. 'Whether he's right for United, I don't know about that, but you don't play for Chelsea and Bayern Munich if you haven't got something about you. I just think United need a little bit more. I do like Nicolas Jackson but think United need the best of the best. If you're going to buy a top-top striker, you must go and buy Erling Haaland or Harry Kane. Just be absolutely ruthless. Sign the player. Get them in the box. Give me the goals. No nonsense.'
United's need for a striker is underscored by the fact that Sesko and Fernandes were the only players to reach double figures for goals last season. With the transfer window still open, Carrick and the club's hierarchy face a decision on whether to invest in additional firepower, with Jackson among the names being considered.
