Former Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy believes that Benjamin Sesko and Rasmus Hojlund could form a devastating strike partnership reminiscent of Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole if they are reunited next season. While the Danish striker impresses on loan at Napoli, McCarthy says the pair have the potential to lead a new era of firepower at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim.
Sesko replaced Hojlund
Hojlund’s resurgence at Napoli has reignited debate over Manchester United’s decision to send the Danish striker out on loan, particularly following his strong start under Antonio Conte. The 22-year-old has found the net four times in his first six appearances across all competitions, rediscovering the sharpness and confidence that deserted him during his second season in England. Now, with an option for Napoli to make the deal permanent, his form has led to renewed calls for United to reconsider his future.
Meanwhile, United’s £74 million summer signing Sesko has endured a more difficult beginning to life in the Premier League. The Slovenian forward has scored twice in his last three matches but had previously gone six games without finding the net, prompting questions about his adaptation and the team’s attacking structure. Despite early struggles, his recent upturn in form suggests he could soon justify his hefty price tag — and potentially form part of an exciting forward duo if Hojlund returns.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMcCarthy wants pair to play together
Speaking exclusively to BestBettingSites.co.uk, McCarthy, who worked as an attacking coach at United under Erik ten Hag, backed both strikers to thrive together if given time and patience.
“I think Sesko and Rasmus Hojlund would have been a good pair, to have two top strikers at the club. Both young, of course, both foreign, both from outside England.
“They have to adapt. They need to adapt to their new environment. But I think once they both get going, it could have been a really good pair for United like they had back in the day. They had Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Teddy Sheringham. They had four really top-class strikers and you just have to try and make it work. And I think United would have had a similar situation if they had kept Rasmus Hojlund.
“But I understand, players want to play. When you make that bold move to come to United, you don't want to be sharing the load with somebody else or sitting on the bench while the other one plays and vice versa. So, yeah, tough decisions, but the club ended up offloading Rasmus Hojlund, and he seems to be very happy where he is, and he's playing and he's gaining valuable experience and he's scoring goals.
“It’s good for his confidence and he's still a United player. At the end of the day maybe he’ll come back from this loan and then hopefully he'll be ready then to kick on for United. And then he and Benjamin Sesko can work together.
“For Sesko, he'll have to adapt to the way of playing, and he's already scored two goals now in the last three games. So once he can hit the ground running, United will have really good pedigree up front and they are relatively young footballers.”
Sesko adjusting
Sesko’s start to life at Manchester United has been one of adjustment rather than immediate success. After joining from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2025, the 20-year-old has managed two goals in nine appearances across all competitions — a modest return but one reflective of a wider issue with United’s attacking fluidity under Amorim. Critics have pointed to the lack of creative service into the Slovenian striker, noting that he averages just 1.8 shots and 14 touches per game, one of the lowest figures for a first-choice forward in the Premier League.
Hojlund’s progress in Italy further underlines what a second chance could mean for both players. After two turbulent seasons at United, where he scored 14 goals in 62 league appearances, Hojlund has rediscovered form at Napoli. Four goals in six matches across Serie A and the Champions League suggest that under Conte’s structured system, the Dane’s finishing instincts are again flourishing — a reminder of why United paid heavily for him in 2023.
Getty ImagesWhat comes next?
For now, Manchester United’s focus remains on stabilising their season under Amorim, but the future could see a tactical rethink if both strikers return in form next year. Hojlund’s loan at Napoli includes an option to buy that becomes an obligation should the Italians qualify for the Champions League, meaning his long-term future may depend on Napoli’s final league position. If he does return to Old Trafford in 2026, McCarthy believes Amorim could have a ready-made partnership reminiscent of United’s famous late-1990s strike duos.
The prospect of pairing Sesko’s technical link-up play with Hojlund’s direct, explosive style is an enticing one for United fans. Both players are young, hungry, and still developing — traits that, if harnessed correctly, could transform United’s frontline for years to come.
