Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick should play forward Benjamin Sesko as his side are offering "no danger" through the middle, says former Premier League striker Charlie Austin.
Matheus Cunha started in the striker position with Bruno Fernandes behind him and Bryan Mbeumo and Marcus Rashford on the wings on Sunday. However, his side were largely blunt in the 1-0 derby defeat by rivals Manchester City, despite playing against 10 men for almost 70 minutes, and register a lower xG (expected goals) than their opponents.
Sesko was eventually introduced midway through the second half but could not turn the tie around.
"I don't think we should allow VAR and those moments to overshadow the fact that Manchester United were poor," Austin told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"They don't play with a number nine. They had 10 versus 11 and didn't have a number nine. Cunha is not a nine, he is a 10 or he plays wide. He is never occupying the two centre backs or he drops in.

#united #sesko #play #side

Owen Hargreaves couldn't speak highly enough of Kobbie Mainoo ahead of Manchester United's clash with Sabah last night.
The midfielder (unsurprisingly) retained his starting spot for United's Champions League opener and played just over an hour as the Reds cruised to a comfortable win on home soil.
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Mainoo was eventually replaced by summer signing Andrey Santos in the 64th minute, while Benjamin Sesko simultaneously made way for Joshua Zirkzee for his first appearance of the season.
When United got their Premier League campaign underway last month, the 21-year-old started on the bench for the opening fixture against Hull City.

#mainoo #last #sabah

Unlike many of his players, Michael Carrick has personal experience of the special nights at Old Trafford in the Champions League. This was scarcely one of them, but if Carrick had compiled a list of things he wanted from the evening, this must have ticked nearly every box. A perfect night? "Yeah, I think so," he said.
The fixture list made it a low-key comeback to the Champions League but Carrick was able to rest four players ahead of the Manchester derby, take off five more and chalk up a comfortable win. "Some of the football we played was really good," said Carrick. "We just did a lot of good things." Some players benefited. Matheus Cunha, who was fortunate to avoid a late red card for a studs-up challenge on Erivaldo Almeida, surely needed his first goal of the season. Benjamin Sesko marked his first start of the campaign with a second goal in a week.
Bruno Fernandes was instrumental as United put four past Sabah (Reuters)
In a sense, though, the most meaningful goal came from Bruno Fernandes. The captain was nominated for the Ballon d'Or even after a campaign when United were not in any continental competition. He showed a loyalty to United during their European exile. More than any other player, he dragged them back into the Champions League. It was fitting he scored on their return. Fernandes being Fernandes, it was also typical he was not among the rested or the removed.
Carrick has rarely needed to rotate since he took charge. Given this season's greater workload, this was something of a learning exercise. Patrick Dorgu played left-back for the first time under Carrick, excelled in attack and played a part in the first two goals, but revealed defensive deficiencies. Noussair Mazraoui, brought back in for Diogo Dalot, seemed to have a point to prove and looked lively going forward. A fit-again Mason Mount made a belated first appearance of the campaign in the second half. Andrey Santos, dropped after his ill-fated debut at Hull, got the final half-hour. The youngsters Harry Amass and Shea Lacey appeared for the last 20 minutes.

#league #played

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Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick praised Benjamin Sesko's role in the team as he outlined what sets the striker apart.
Sesko scored United's third of a 4-0 victory over Sabah in the Champions League on Thursday evening.
Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez also got on the scoresheet. After the final whistle, Carrick spoke to reporters and shared his verdict on the game.
Carrick said of Sesko, "Definitely offers a different kind of threat."

#manchester #united #michael

Michael Carrick enjoyed Manchester United's perfect Champions League return against Sabah but is "pushing for more" with tougher tests around the corner.
Thursday night saw Old Trafford host a first match in European football's premier competition since December 2023 as the Red Devils faced a club that were only founded nine years ago.
United ran out comfortable 4-0 victors against Sabah, the champions of Azerbaijan, with Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko scoring first-half goals.
Lisandro Martinez tapped home to complete a blemish-free start to the league phase for Carrick's men, who recorded their first clean sheet of the season having made a topsy-turvy start to the Premier League.
Asked if Thursday was the perfect way to kick off their long-awaited Champions League return, the United head coach said: "Yeah, I think so.

#first #premier #return #start

3
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes produced a sensational performance to help the team to a 4-0 victory over Sabah FK in their Champions League opener.
Matheus Cunha broke the deadlock for United inside 27 minutes when he supplied a delicate finish to Patrick Dorgu's delivery.
Fernandes doubled United's advantage 15 minutes later, rounding off a brilliant team move, with Youri Tielemans registering the first **** ist of his Old Trafford career. Benjamin Sesko then rounded off the goalkeeper to make it 3-0 just before the break.
Lisandro Martínez pounced on a scramble inside the box to add a fourth in the second half, removing any lingering uncertainty about the outcome.

#inside #minutes

Manchester United welcomed Sabah at Old Trafford earlier tonight as they hoped to secure a good result at home in the UEFA Champions League. The Red Devils made a good start to the game and scored the opener in the 27th minute thanks to Matheus Cunha's effort. Bruno Fernandes doubled his team's lead in the 42nd minute before Benjamin Sesko made it 3-0 to Man United in the 45th minute. Michael Carrick's men went into the half-time break with a comfortable three-goal lead.
Lisandro Martinez added another goal for the Mancunian team in the 68th minute. The match ended with Man United securing a dominant 4-0 win at the Theatre of Dreams.
Let's take a look at how each Manchester United player fared during the clash against Sabah.
GK: Senne Lammens – 7/10
He made one solid save at the back and did enough to keep a clean sheet.

#manchester #good #goal

Manchester United return to the Champions League at home and against a debutant in the competition. Will it be enough to celebrate by the end of Thursday?
Without Rashford, Maguire or Zirkzee in the starting eleven, this is how both clubs line up today at Old Trafford.
MANCHESTER UNITED: Lammens, Yoro, Li Martínez, Mazraoui, Dorgu, Tielemans, Mainoo, B. Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo, Šeško.
SABAH BAKU: Pokatilov, Dashdamirov, McCarthy, Zedadka, Puchacz, Lepinjica, Rahmonaliev, Nwachukwu, Parris, Simić, Mickels.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

#united #without

1
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has identified a positive from the team's painful 2-2 draw with Everton.
United thought they were headed for all three points in the final seconds, with Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko both on the scoresheet on either side of a Tyrique George goal.
However, substitute Ainsley Maitland-Niles had other ideas. The Everton debutant fired a cracking goal into the top corner from distance to break the hearts of the travelling supporters and deny Carrick and his players all three points.
United have now won one, drawn one and lost one of their three opening games of the 2026/27 Premier League season.

#three

There are positives for Manchester United to take from their 2-2 draw at Everton.
Striker Benjamin Sesko scored his first goal of a season - the start to which has been delayed for longer than anticipated by a shin injury.
Kobbie Mainoo has impressed in the campaign as a whole so far and shows no sign of being affected by his unhappy World Cup experience. The same, in terms of his mental strength, could be said of goakeeper Senne Lammens.
Marcus Rashford has returned to the club with a sense of purpose.
But you cannot ignore the negatives.

#sesko #kobbie

Manchester United clashed heads with Everton at the Hill ****** inson Stadium earlier today as they hoped to secure a win on the road in the Premier League. The Red Devils made a decent start to the game and managed to get to the half-time break with a goalless scoreline.
Bryan Mbeumo scored the opening goal for the visitors in the 47th minute before Tyrique George equalised for Everton with a great effort in the 83rd minute. Benjamin Sesko put his team 2-1 ahead just five minutes later, but Ainsley Maitland-Niles equalised for the Toffees with a great strike in injury time. The match ended with Michael Carrick's men securing a lackluster 2-2 draw away from home.
Let's take a look at how each Manchester United player fared during the clash against the Toffees.
GK: Senne Lammens – 6.5/10
He made his fair share of saves during the game, but couldn't do much about either of Everton's goals this afternoon.

#manchester #toffees #game #equalised

Despite leading twice against Everton at the Hill ***** inson Stadium, the spoils were ultimately shared between Manchester United and the hosts.
Michael Carrick's men have now lost, won and drawn in their opening three Premier League fixtures.
Indeed, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko's best efforts were not enough for the Red Devils to head back to Manchester with all three points in the bag.
United were holding on to their 2-1 lead from the 88th minute, when Benjamin Sesko headed home from a stellar Luke Shaw cross, until the sixth minute of injury time.
That was when scrappy play inside the area resulted in Ainsley Maitland-Niles capitalising on a loose ball outside the box and firing a long-range strike past Senne Lammens.

#manchester

90+1' – George again, saved. Barry found him open, but he was clearly offside.
90' – Grealish shot charged down, throw-in from Myko is cleared.
Five minutes to be added on here.
87' – Fernandes finds Shaw overlapping, he beats AMN to get his cross into the box, over Tarkowski and Sesko is in ***** e, and his powerful header beats Pickford. The England #1 got his hand to it, but couldn't keep it out, 2-1 to United. Ugh.
View Link
86' – Double-change for United again, with Yoro and Santos on.
Sesko header goes wide.

#sesko #fernandes

1
Manchester United failed to sign a striker this summer, despite being linked with several candidates for the job. Among the player on their wish list was long-term target Harry Kane.
The Premier League giants were looking to add more competition for Benjamin Sesko in the squad. The Slovenian arrived at the Theatre of Dreams in a big-money move at the beginning of last season and enjoyed a decent debut run.
Sesko was particularly impressive following Michael Carrick's arrival, helping United finish third in the Premier League table.
However, with the Red Devils all set to compete in the Champions League this season and Joshua Zirkzee's future uncertain, INEOS were expected to sign an experienced No. 9 this year. A move for Kane was touted as a possibility, especially since he has entered the final year of his contract with Bayern Munich.

#united

3
Who is the fastest Manchester United player?
Benjamin Sesko is not the name that springs to mind when you debate who is the fastest at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford, Amad, Bryan Mbeumo or Diogo Dalot are the names you would reach for first.
Yet Dalot has now made an intriguing claim about which teammate actually has the edge in terms of pace.

#dalot #united

Manchester United looked very good in the second half against Ipswich Town on Sunday, but the side's goals did not come from the forward line. Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo were the driving force behind the three goals, with the captain recording his first hat-trick in five years.
The front three of Matheus Cunha at striker and Marcus Rashford and Bryan Mbeumo on the flanks did not look poor. Cunha **** isted Bruno's first goal and Mbeumo finished an odd chip for the fifth and final goal, meanwhile Rashford had two excellent chances denied by the goalkeeper and last-ditch defending. There was balance, but it was still evidently a solution to a personnel problem.
Amad's preseason injury made the right wing options limited to Mbeumo, despite the Cameroonian's emergence as a good No. 9 option this season. Benjamin Sesko missed the entire preseason but has been fit enough to make appearances off the bench. Cunha, who typically played on the left last season, played as a No. 9 for Brazil at the World Cup and fit there with Rashford as a natural option on the left.
The options aren't bad for Michael Carrick to choose from. All three players have been flexible positionally in their careers and offer a balance of qualities. Rashford looked particularly comfortable playing with Luke Shaw again and he made a good effort out of possession to stay involved as well. He didn't get the goal his performance might have deserved, but overall it was a good homecoming.
Cunha was the only real odd fit, operating similarly to Bruno Fernandes and dropping into similar areas. It allowed the No. 10 to make good runs beyond the striker, but Cunha's lack of striker presence was felt at times, especially in the first half.

#striker

Manchester United have completed the signing of midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton for a fee up to $95 million, to complete the Red Devils' expensive midfielder makeover during the transfer window.
The 22-year-old Cameroon international is the final piece of the puzzle for Michael Carrick's side after also adding Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos ($111 million combined) this summer. Put the new-boy trio alongside Bruno Fernandes and Man United's midfield has gone from definite weakness to potential strength, at least one paper.
Fernandes is fresh off breaking the Premier League's single-season ***** ist record with 21 last campaign as Man United finished 3rd after two terribly disappointing seasons down in 8th and 15th. The rest of the midfield was made up of Casemiro (33 PL starts), Kobbie Mainoo (16 starts) and a rotating carousel of Mason Mount (12) and Manuel Ugarte (8).
Casemiro ended up scoring nine goals last season (mostly from set pieces), but him and Ugarte were tasked with providing the defensive cover that gave Fernandes the freedom to win games in the final third. It worked well enough to get back in the UEFA Champions League, but Casemiro's age (34, now at Inter Miami) and Ugarte's lack of mobility (prior to tearing his ACL at the World Cup), and both player's lack of forward passing, meant they were a band-aid solution that needed ripping off sooner rather than later.
That's because this season, Man United have to win more games in which they dominate possession. They proved they can be a devastating attacking team with Fernandes feeding Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Amad Diallo, but they struggled terribly against opponents that defended deeper and flat out refused to give them ***** e in behind, instead setting up their own counter-attacks and — you guessed it — taking advantage of Man United's much slower defensive midfielders and defenders.

#midfielder #final

Manchester United have started the new Premier League season the hard way. A 2-0 defeat at Hull City exposed familiar problems, flat possession, a lack of incision and too little control in midfield when the game turned against them.
The immediate noise around Old Trafford centres on Carlos Baleba. Reports suggest United have agreed a £65m deal with Brighton for the midfielder, with the player understood to be progressing towards the final stages of the move. Carrick, predictably, said very little. "I had all eyes on (the match vs Hull) today so any other player, until he's ours, it's not for me to comment on." That is standard enough. Managers do not confirm business until the paperwork is done.
Photo IMAGO
Baleba's potential arrival matters because United looked short in key areas at Hull. The new midfield pairing of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans never imposed themselves and Hull took advantage early. United were two down by half-time and, from there, the afternoon became a test of nerve more than quality.
There were changes after the break. Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Sesko and Kobbie Mainoo were introduced, but the game never swung. United had more of the ball, Hull stayed organised and the home side managed the contest well.

#united #midfield #game #player

2026-08-22T10:27:40Z
TEAM NEWS IS IN...
Here's a look at how Hull City and Manchester United lineup:
Man Utd XI: Lammens; Mazraoui, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Tielemans, Santos; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Dorgu; Cunha
Man Utds Subs: Darlow, Dalot, Yoro, Martinez, Mainoo, Zirkzee, Lacey, Rashford, Sesko

#hull #city #mazraoui

Manchester United are reportedly tracking Ivan Toney and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who could become options should Joshua Zirkzee leave.
Although we're less than two weeks away from the end of the summer transfer window, Zirkzee's future remains unclear.
The Dutchman is considering a mere back-up for Benjamin Sesko, and even with the Slovenian's absence, Michael Carrick could still opt to deploy either Matheus Cunha or Bryan Mbeumo in the striker role.
For the past 18 months or so, Zirkzee has been linked with a return to Italian football. Last January, Roma were close to signing the 25-year-old, but in recent weeks, Juventus emerged as the player's most likely destination, which isn't a total coincidence, given how former Roma director Ricky Massara moved to Turin earlier this summer.
Moreover, Napoli are said to be considered a late-summer target for Zirkzee after selling Romelu Lukaku. This would reunite the former Bologna star with fellow Man Utd struggler Rasmus Hojlund, who managed to revive his career in Southern Italy.

#united #jean

Benjamin Sesko is poised to return to full fitness in time for Manchester United's season-opener away to Hull City.
The Red Devils kick off their 2026/2027 on Saturday, August 22 in the 12.30pm kick-off and, according to Manchester Evening News' Steven Railston, the Slovenian is in line to make the squad.
Benjamin Sesko is still on track to be fit for the start of the season, so there's no reason to panic. The striker has been stepping up his rehabilitation at Carrington #MUFC
Sesko has been ruled out of all of United's pre-season friendlies thus far due to a shin injury that was re-aggravated when he was barged off the pitch by Ibrahima Konate in last term's home win over Liverpool.
The 23-year-old was hooked at the interval and replaced by Amad Diallo. Little did he – or fans – know that Sesko would not feature again in the remaining three matches.

#sesko #benjamin #hull #august

Bayern Munich reportedly view Benjamin Sesko as the eventual heir to Harry Kane's throne at the Allianz Arena.
According to Ben Jacobs (via The United Stand), the German giants have identified United's frontman as Kane's 'long-term successor'.
However, any pursuit is likely to come either next year or in 2028, with 'talks underway' to try and keep the England captain tied to Bayern for the foreseeable future.
Although Kane is now 33, he's showing absolutely no sign of slowing down on the goalscoring front, and has only further established himself as one of the most prolific strikers in world football since making the move to Germany.
His unprecedented return of 61 goals and seven **** ists in 51 appearances last season for Bayern, as well as his seven goal contributions at the World Cup, have put him well in contention to win the Ballon d'Or this year.

#seven #munich

Manchester United face Atletico Madrid at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm on Saturday afternoon in their third pre-season fixture of the summer.
Michael Carrick has resisted the temptation to rotate heavily between friendlies, preferring to give first-team players sustained minutes as the new season approaches. Saturday's match against Atletico represents by far the sternest test of United's preparations and an important benchmark for where the squad stands heading into August.
A long list of World Cup participants remain unavailable. Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martínez, Kobbie Mainoo, Matheus Cunha, Noussair Mazraoui and Marcus Rashford are all on extended post-tournament breaks and have not yet returned to Carrington.
Youri Tielemans completed his first training session at the club this week after arriving from Aston Villa in a £35m deal — but has been left out of the travelling squad for Stockholm. His debut will come in the coming days. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens is also not in the squad.
Benjamin Sesko is a major doubt with a shin injury that the club are carefully monitoring. Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs de Ligt are both sidelined with their own injury concerns and unavailable for selection. Amad Diallo has returned from his World Cup commitments with Ivory Coast and could feature in the squad.

#atletico #World #returned #injury

Chelsea want between £35m and £40m for Liam Delap this summer as Premier League rivals chase the striker's signature.
Delap is free to leave Chelsea if a suitable offer arrives after a disappointing debut campaign at Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old scored just twice in 41 appearances across all competitions, following his £30m arrival from Ipswich Town.
Despite that return, Chelsea are demanding a profit on Delap this summer. The Blues signed Delap with the help of a relegation release clause 12 months ago, and believes the forward is worth between £35m and £40m.
According to the iPaper, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Leeds United are leading the chase. Everton held talks with Delap last summer, prior to his decision to join Chelsea, and remain keen on a deal.
Manchester United were former suitors of Delap but are understood to have rejected the chance to revive that interest this summer. United are seeking a forward to compete with Benjamin Sesko.

#delap #Chelsea #league

Welcome to today's exclusive & comprehensive round-up of all things Bayern Munich from Bayern insider Christian Falk. Featuring updates on Luis Diaz, Benjamin Šeško, Warren Zaïre-Emery, and Givairo Read.
Are Bayern planning on taking Benjamin Šeško away from Manchester United?
Is Luis Diaz bound for Saudi Arabia?
Are Bayern going to spend their secret stash of cash this summer?
And plenty more on Harry Kane, Bradley Barcola, Charles De Ketelaere & Gabriel Bontempo

#benjamin

They may not be world champions, but Les Bleus are kings of the small screen! The FFF has revealed the French national team's digital figures during the 2026 World Cup. With more than 10 million additional subscribers and 69 million followers in total, France is the most-followed national team on social media.
To say Thursday's friendly between Hoffenheim and SV Massenbachhausen was one-sided would almost be an understatement. Final score: 21-0.
A ridiculous scoreline that already makes Hoffenheim the big favorite to win the Bundesliga… Bayern better watch out!
And here are the images of the carnage...
Ruled out of the World Cup with Slovenia, Manchester United striker Benjamin Šeško appears to have used the break to bulk up. The image of his physical transformation quickly went viral on social media.

#Social #france

Serie A side Roma have now definitively missed out on Crysencio Summerville but are now ready to push forward for Leipzig’s Antonio Nusa.
La Gazzetta dello Sport that Gian Piero Gasperini is desperate for an attacking signing and Nusa is now the chosen target. An emergency meeting has been held at the club during which initial contact has been made for the Norway international.
They have spoken directly with Leipzig and haven’t used too many intermediaries. The German side made it clear that they want €60 million and would go down to only €55 million. That’s their take it or leave it response.
Roma believe Nusa’s salary is well within their reach. Newcastle United and ****** nal are interested but luckily for Roma, they haven’t made any moves yet. As a result, sporting director TOny D’Amico is expected to speak to the Friedkin ownership about making a formal offer as soon possible. If things don’t work out Benfica’s Andreas Schjelderup and Cologne’s Said El Mala are alternative options.
It feels like any move from Roma would have to see them make an extra financial effort. Leipzig have always been very expensive sellers and the Giallorossi would have to meet the standards set by the sales of Benjamin Sesko and the incoming exit of Yan Diomande.

#side #serie

Manchester United finished the season in third place last season, which was a significant improvement on the disaster of the 2024/2025 season.
One of the main reasons behind this uptick in form was a successful summer transfer window in 2025.
United brought in proven quality such as Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both of whom contributed significantly to last season's success.
The youthful gambles on Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens also seemingly paid off, as both players impressed in their debut campaigns.
United are keen to take another step or two forward this season, and a strong transfer window is essential.

Manchester United have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Levante striker Etta Eyong.
While United are prioritising midfield reinforcements this summer, other positions are also in need of strengthening, including striker.
Benjamin Sesko enjoyed a very positive maiden season in England following his big-money move from RB Leipzig last summer. The Slovenian plundered 11 Premier League goals. No player in the top flight netted more times than him in the second half of the campaign.
Nevertheless, it is imperative that sufficient depth is provided. This matter could take on added urgency in the event that Joshua Zirkzee exits the club. Zirkzee struggled for playing time in the 2025/26 season under both Ruben Amorim and Michael Carrick.
There has been chatter that a return to Turkey for the Dutchman is on the cards, with the likes of AC Milan, Juventus and AS Roma all said to be interested.

Milan quickly sealed the deal for Gonçalo Ramos, as their pursuit had begun long before it became public. Everything will be formalized once he returns from the World Cup. It’ll be the richest acquisition in the history of the club. The Rossoneri will pay €74M plus add-ons, Fabrizio Romano reports (via SOSFanta).
The Serie A giants didn’t beat around the bush. Other teams, primarily Atletico Madrid and some Premier League ones, were also after the striker. His agent Jorge Mendes spent a few days in Italy to finalize the operation. The player took the medicals directly in the United States.
Milan could spend up to €80M for Ramos if all the bonuses come to fruition. Their brass decided to trust Ruben Amorim completely to address a position that has been a thorn in their side for a few seasons. The coach already wanted his compatriot at Manchester United, but PSG didn’t play ball. The Red Devils signed Benjamin Sesko instead.
The deal to sign the 25-year-old will surpass Rafael Leao’s €49M one in the team’s standings. Depending on the accessory costs, it’ll be neck-and-neck with Romelu Lukaku to Inter among one of the most expensive purchases in Serie A history, trailing only Juventus’ splurges for Cristiano Ronaldo and Matthijs de Ligt.
While they probably have a pretty good indication that they’ll get a similar sum from selling Rafael Leao, Santiago Gimenez, and more castoffs, the numbers are insane, especially not for a bonified star, and the downside is huge. While pleasing the gaffer is all well and good, it wouldn’t have been a lot less risky to sign the likes of Dusan Vlahovic, Randal Kolo Muani, or Moise Kean, for instance.