His standout quality” – Manchester United could be on the verge of securing a striker reminiscent of Zlatan Ibrahimović.

 

The Childhood Idol of a Man Utd Target Could Shape His Future at Old Trafford

 

Manchester United may soon welcome a striker who once looked up to a former club legend.

 

In the quiet town of Radeče in eastern Slovenia, nestled by the Sava River and known mostly for a church and a repurposed castle-school, a young football talent began his journey. With a population under 2,000, the town might soon gain recognition as the hometown of United’s potential next goal-scoring sensation.

 

Benjamin Šeško may not be as proven in England as someone like Ollie Watkins, but his footballing résumé is strong—and there’s still plenty of room for growth. His rise from a modest Slovenian upbringing to possibly leading the line at Old Trafford mirrors the path of his football hero, Zlatan Ibrahimović.

 

From a young age, Šeško’s passion for football was evident. Accompanied by his father, he frequently attended local matches and eventually joined NK Radeče. Gifted beyond his years, he consistently played in older age groups, always eager for a challenge.

 

Jernej Čeh, his first coach, recalled to 24ur: “He showed his talent right away. Many kids are skilled at a young age, but few make it. Even on his days off, he’d show up at the pitch to train on his own or join older kids’ sessions to shoot and play basketball.”

 

Šeško’s path took him from Radeče to Krško, then to NK Domžale, and eventually, at just 16, to Austria’s RB Salzburg. Manchester United scouted him during this time but opted not to meet Salzburg’s €2 million price. In 2022, he moved to RB Leipzig, another club under the Red Bull banner, and chose to stay despite renewed United interest last year, when the club instead signed Joshua Zirkzee.

 

“He always had something special. Even playing against older boys, he didn’t just keep up—he often outshone them,” Čeh added. “He was tall, quick, clever, and had an unusually powerful shot for his age.”

 

Šeško was 13 when Ibrahimović arrived at United, and he quickly became a fan. Like Zlatan, he combines technical flair with a powerful physique—traits that could serve him well if he joins United this summer.

 

In an interview with CBS Sports, Šeško shared, “Besides the usual big names like Ronaldo, Ibrahimović was my favorite. He’s not exactly like me, but I’ve tried to imitate some of his moves. I admired his confidence and style.”

 

At just 21, Šeško will need to embrace Ibrahimović’s fearless mentality if he’s to make a major impact at Manchester United. But given how far he’s already come—from an overlooked prospect in a tiny Slovenian village to one of Europe’s top young forwards—he seems to have the mindset needed to succeed.

 

“As a club, we’re all proud of him,” said Čeh. “His success isn’t surprising. You just have to watch him to see his agility and technique, especially for someone his size. That combination might be his biggest asset.”