Manchester United's $90M Striker Compared to Haaland

Ex-Red Devil Louis Saha believes Benjamin Šeško has 'Haaland-level potential'

Feb. 21, 2026 at 7:36am

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Manchester United's $90.1 million investment in 22-year-old striker Benjamin Šeško has raised expectations, with comparisons being drawn to Erling Haaland's explosive debut season at Manchester City. While Šeško's Premier League numbers so far don't match Haaland's, former United striker Louis Saha and Šeško's former coaches see similarities in their physicality, athleticism, and technical ability that could see the young Slovenian reach similar heights.

Why it matters

The comparison between Šeško and Haaland highlights the high expectations placed on United's big-money signing and the pressure he faces to live up to the hype. Šeško's development will be closely watched, as United fans hope he can replicate Haaland's rapid rise to stardom.

The details

So far this season, Šeško has scored 6 goals in 21 Premier League matches, a respectable tally but far below Haaland's record-breaking 36 goals in his debut campaign. However, Saha and Šeško's former coaches at RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig see the potential for the Slovenian to reach a similar level, citing his physical attributes and technical skills.

  • In August 2025, Manchester United signed Benjamin Šeško for a reported $90.1 million transfer fee.
  • As of February 21, 2026, Šeško has scored 6 goals in 21 Premier League matches this season.

The players

Benjamin Šeško

A 22-year-old Slovenian striker who Manchester United signed from RB Leipzig for a reported $90.1 million transfer fee in August 2025.

Erling Haaland

The Norwegian striker who had a record-breaking debut season with Manchester City in 2025-26, scoring 36 Premier League goals.

Louis Saha

A former Manchester United striker who believes Šeško has 'Haaland-level potential'.

Rene Aufhauser

A former coach of both Šeško and Haaland at RB Salzburg, who believes Šeško is currently a '9 or 9.5 out of 10' and will reach Haaland's level within 1-2 years.

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What they’re saying

“He has a style like [Haaland], where his physique, his size, and his athleticism can really help. But there is also an element to his technique that allows him to score other types of goals.”

— Louis Saha, Former Manchester United Striker

“I would rate Haaland a 10 out of 10 and Šeško a 9, 9-and-a-half out of 10. I think Šeško will reach Haaland's level within one or two years.”

— Rene Aufhauser, Former RB Salzburg Coach

What’s next

Šeško's development and ability to adapt to the Premier League will be closely watched in the coming months, as United fans hope he can fulfill his potential and reach the heights of Erling Haaland.

The takeaway

While Šeško's current statistics don't match Haaland's meteoric rise, the underlying potential is undeniable. With the right support and environment, the young Slovenian striker could very well become a Premier League force to be reckoned with in the near future.