Manchester United woke up to bad news recently as Benjamin Sesko was ruled out for around a month due to a knee injury he suffered against Tottenham Hotspur before the international break.
The injury could have been worse, but the Slovenian is expected to miss around five Premier League games depending on how his rehabilitation goes.
INEOS can do nothing until January at the earliest to offset this loss, and Ruben Amorim will have to depend on the options at hand to pull through this difficult period.
The Red Devils do not have an out-and-out senior striker in their ranks, but Joshua Zirkzee seems the most natural fit. He did play up top 41 times last season, contributing six goals.
Joshua Zirkzee continues to be overlooked
The Dutchman is yet to start a single game this season, accumulating a grand total of 90 minutes in all competitions from substitute appearances.
His future remains up in the air with multiple English, and Italian clubs chasing his signature. Amorim does not want to lose him, which means this might be the opportunity he was craving for.
Or so he thought. As per The Times, the head coach does not see the former Bologna ace as Sesko’s replacement, and will prefer to play a false nine against Everton on Monday.
“Even though his main rival for the striker’s position, Benjamin Sesko, is out for a few weeks with a knee injury, Zirkzee may not start up front against Everton on Monday.
All but confirms his departure in January?
“That is because Ruben Amorim, United’s head coach, likes to play a false nine when his first-choice striker is unavailable.”
Amorim did so earlier in the season as well, playing a fluid front three of Bryan Mbeumo, Mason Mount, and Matheus Cunha instead of turning to the Netherlands international.
Should this come to pass, it will all but confirm the No.11’s impending departure in January. He is unlikely to stay when he is not valued despite the obvious gaps up top.
Apart from Sesko, United will also lose Mbeumo and Amad in December due to AFCON. Surely, Joshua Zirkzee will fancy his chances then.
Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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