Luckhurst: INEOS must be commended for signing mentality monster over ‘defeatist’ PL star who’s bereft of confidence

Rebecca French

2 months ago

Samuel Luckhurst believes INEOS executives should be praised for the acquisition of Benjamin Sesko last summer.

The Manchester United striker scored his ninth Premier League goal at Old Trafford on Sunday to help seal a crucial victory over Aston Villa.

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Manchester United considered Ollie Watkins before signing Benjamin Cesc

Last August, just before the Slovenian signed a five-year contract, reports emerged that then-manager Ruben Amorim urged the board to pursue Ollie Watkins instead.

The Aston Villa talisman is an experienced and proven centre-forward option and Amorim won’t have to worry about a transfer to the Premier League.

However, after working with the 22-year-old at RB Leipzig and RB Salzburg, former Red Bull chairman Christopher Verveer (now M16’s director of recruitment) spearheaded a move towards Sesco, eventually agreeing a £73m deal.

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It took the youngster some time to establish himself in England’s top flight, but he is now enjoying his most prolific form in a red shirt since his move from the Bundesliga.

Sesco has scored seven goals in his last nine league games. Five of those players are under Michael Carrick and four are substitutes – including yesterday’s 81st-minute contribution.

Watkins, who had been withdrawn just after the hour mark, was watching from the Villa bench when Cesc scored.

How Watkins has performed since the start of the year

He touched the ball just twice in the United penalty area and completed just one of his four attempts with the ball, which left him with a measly six-point rating. Ford Mob.

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Watkins, 30, has scored just once in his last nine starts for Villa, so it’s no surprise he has looked to have lost confidence in charge in recent weeks.

(How Cesc and Watkins have fared in the league since the start of 2026)

Commenting on the forwards’ comparisons on X/Twitter, Luckhurst said: “Credit to #MUFC and Jason Wilcox for investing in Cesco, not Watkins. It’s hard to imagine a more failed forward at Old Trafford this season than Watkins. Cesco’s body language [is] Opposite polarity. The mentality of scoring another goal off the bench was outstanding. “