Carrington’s ‘top talent’ is big upgrade from Sesko in Man Utd preparation

There are a lot of things to like about Manchester United at the moment. Of course, many more improvements are needed before Ruben Amorim’s project reaches the desired level, but recent results and, perhaps more importantly, performances suggest that a page may have been turned.

Amorim stuck to his guns in the Old Trafford hot seat and received more than a measure of criticism and question marks in return. But are the signs of vindication about to appear for the thoughtful tactician?

A summer well spent has seen first team outliers shed and improvements in the form of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha arriving and working under the lights of the Theatre.

Benjamin Sesko is a talented striker, but the jury remains out on his potential as a leading man for many years to come.

What Sesko must prove to Man Utd

Sesko joined Man United from RB Leipzig this summer for a fee of £74 million, ending a long search for a new striker.

The 23-year-old has only scored two goals and provided one assist in 11 matches so far, but his link-up play and presence in the box show great promise.

Podcast host Adam Joseph noted the Slovenian “needed a better touch” in Saturday’s stunning draw against Forest, unable to capitalize on Mbeumo’s magic. But it will come.

Mbeumo and Cunha, after all, are seasoned Premier League stars, while Sesko is only a few months into English football and is even younger.

We know he can score goals. But Man United’s best strikers of modern times have proven they have many more strings to their bow.

Take Robin Van Persie. The iconic centre-forward was praised by Sir Alex Ferguson for his “sensational” shot and for making “as big an impact as anyone” at Old Trafford after joining Arsenal for £24 million in 2012.

His movement and intelligence in the final third set him apart from the masses, and the tall and well-built Sesko could emulate the Dutchman in that regard.

But there might actually be a promising Carrington talent with more potential than the summer recruit.

Man Utd’s greatest attacking talent since RVP

Last week, Amorim publicly recognized JJ Gabriel and confirmed that he was paying attention to the 15-year-old striker’s progress, even giving him the opportunity to train with the first team.

Hailed for his “exceptional skills” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, “combining flair and confidence on the ball”, Gabriel is yet to develop positionally, capable both on the left and in a central striking position, but there is so much to like and he could even make his debut in the not too distant future.

Already a U18 regular, Gabriel shattered expectations with his prodigious technical ability and fast ball play. He is too good for the youngsters around him, and journalist Nathan Salt has confirmed that “one insider thinks he is already better than the Premier League players”.

Correspondent Steven Railston even suggested that Gabriel was “the best talent United’s academy has ever seen”.

Sometimes you can just say it. Gabriel is a one-of-a-kind dribbler and is the top scorer in the U18 Premier League this season, with seven goals (and one assist) in just eight matches. Darren Fletcher has mainly used him at central level, although he has been schooled internationally, but the prolific potential of this young star suggests this could be a wise move.

Although he is not physically developed and has not tried his hand at the senior stage, Gabriel has so much potential, and there is no doubt that his ceiling reaches higher than Sesko’s.

Could the teenager prove to be United’s best since Van Persie? It’s far too early to tell, but the signs so far are certainly more than promising.