Rasmus Højlund should be given the chance to fight for his place at Manchester United even if Benjamin Šeško arrives this summer, according to former Red Devils centre-back Mikael Silvestre. With United pushing to land a new striker ahead of the 2025/2026 season, Silvestre insists manager Rúben Amorim must embrace competition, not eliminate it.
United have submitted a formal bid for RB Leipzig’s 21-year-old Slovenian sensation Benjamin Šeško as they seek a long-term replacement following Marcus Rashford’s exit. However, concerns have surfaced that the club may send Højlund out on loan to make room for Šeško’s arrival.
Silvestre, who spent five years at Old Trafford and won multiple Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson, believes this would be a misstep. “Absolutely not,” he said in an interview with Hajper. “This team needs internal competition. Amorim should let Højlund and Šeško battle it out. It’s the only way to get the best out of both.”
The Danish striker, 22, has struggled to find consistent form since his high-profile move from Atalanta in 2023, scoring just nine goals last season. But Silvestre insists the club must be patient. “You don’t develop world-class strikers by sending them away when someone new arrives,” he added.
He also commented on United’s other options up front, claiming that Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee, another target earlier this window, is a “completely different type of player” and not a direct threat to either Šeško or Højlund’s position.
Manchester United begin their 2025/2026 Premier League campaign on August 17, and fans are eagerly watching how Amorim will shape the team’s attack as he continues to mould the squad in his image following his move from Sporting Lisbon in June.
If Šeško joins, it will be United’s third major signing of the summer after defensive midfielder João Neves and centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo. But for Silvestre, the internal competition is just beginning—and that, he says, is exactly what the club needs.
