Benjamin Sesko reveals why he joined Man United in his first interview at the club – after the Red Devils beat Newcastle to sign £73.7m man

Manchester United’s new £73.7million man Benjamin Sesko has revealed why he chose to join the club, as he sat down for his first official interview at Old Trafford.

Sesko, 22, was the subject of one of the summer’s hottest transfer sagas before committing his future to the Red Devils, with Newcastle also keenly interested in signing the striker.

Despite RB Leipzig accepting offers from both Manchester United and Newcastle, the Slovenian made clear his intentions to sign for Ruben Amorim’s side, who finished 15th in the Premier League after a dismal domestic season last campaign.

By opting for the Red Devils over Newcastle, Sesko passed up the chance to play in Europe, with the Magpies having secured Champions League football with a fifth place finish last term.

Clarifying why he chose to sign for Manchester United during his first interview there, Sesko told MUTV: ‘I think, first of all, because of the club – it’s just a historical club that is unbelievable.

‘For me, the team is great. It is getting better and better and that’s why also there is just stuff that makes you come there, gives you this energy that you want to be part of. I think it’s a great project, in general, and I can’t wait to start, definitely.’

Manchester United announced the £73.7million signing of Sesko from RB Leipzig on Saturday

The Slovenian says the history of the club enticed him into the move, with the striker having opted for the Red Devils over Newcastle – who also had an offer accepted from RB Leipzig

He continued: ‘I’ve just been here for a couple of hours and it’s already been amazing. I can already feel that we’re going to be a great family and it is a pleasure to be part of it. 

‘It feels good, you know, the thing is it [the badge] fits well and I’m looking forward to just playing in it a lot and try to represent in the good ways possible.’

Prior to swooping for Sesko, Manchester United had already heavily reinforced Amorim’s attack by signing £71m Bryan Mbeumo and £62.5m Matheus Cunha from Premier League clubs Brentford and Wolves respectively.

Meanwhile, Newcastle were eager to sign Sesko as a replacement for Alexander Isak, who looks set to leave St James’ Park this summer after expressing his desire to leave the club amid Liverpool’s interest in him. 

Launching their pursuit of Sesko before Man United, the Magpies initially tabled a bid worth €75million (£65m) plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons, which Leipzig rejected, before later returning with a base offer of €80m (£70m) excluding bonuses.

It prompted Manchester United to table a bid of their own within 24 hours, worth €75m (£65m) plus an additional €10m (£8.7m). Finally, Newcastle fired another offer of €82.5m (£72m) plus €2.5m (£2.1m) to the German club, which was accepted.

After Sesko made clear to both clubs his intention to sign for Manchester United, Old Trafford’s hierarchy were able to accelerate final negotiations with Leipzig and strike an agreement. 

Speaking on his lofty ambitions at Man United, Sesko said: ‘Just that we get better, that we connect together, in general, and we, as a team, just try to grow, to grow together step by step because we’re getting better.

He urged that the ‘team is great’ after rubbing shoulders with his new team-mates in training

Bryan Mbeumo (left) and Matheus Cunha (right) also joined the Red Devils earlier this summer

‘We’re just even more complete and complete. It’s just a matter of time when we can fly high again.’

Manchester United take on Arsenal at Old Trafford in their first test of the new Premier League season on Sunday.