Benjamin Sesko
The real reason why Benjamin Sesko ended up as Manchester United's 10th penalty taker during their historic defeat to League Two Grimsby Town on Wednesday night has now emerged. The Red Devils had never lost to fourth-tier opposition before, but after clawing back from a 2-0 halftime deficit to take their Carabao Cup Second Round tie to the lottery of a penalty shootout, it was Bryan Mbeumo's miss that compounded their miserable start to the new campaign.
Mbeumo wasn’t the only new signing to struggle. Matheus Cunha has also failed to find the net, despite a string of chances across Amorim’s three winless games in all competitions. Meanwhile, Sesko - who burnt a £73.7 million hole into Sir Jim Ratcliffe's pocket to complete a £300 million summer spending spree on attack for the Red Devils - appeared hesitant to step up to the penalty spot. Watch the penalty shootout highlights below:
Many critics were quick to highlight that Amorim's new first-choice striker was the last outfield player to take a penalty. However, a reason has now emerged explaining why, despite scoring 27 Bundesliga goals over the past two seasons, he was hesitant to be the hero at a rain-swept Blundell Park.
Why Benjamin Sesko Took 10th Penalty Against Grimsby Town
benjamin sesko manchester united
The reason Sesko was so far down the penalty-takers’ list - hoping the shootout wouldn’t turn into the marathon it ultimately became - is that the Slovenian international was struggling with cramp on a pitch made heavy by rainfall, as reported by the BBC. He had also not played a full ninety minutes since April 19.
In their first two Premier League games of the season, Sesko has come off the bench as the Red Devils have failed to score from open play, losing 1-0 to Arsenal at Old Trafford on the opening weekend before being pegged back to a 1-1 draw against Fulham the following week, in which Rodrigo Muniz's own goal initially gave them the lead.
As the 22-year-old continues to regain full fitness, United fans will be desperate to see a prolific goalscorer emerge as quickly as possible. In recent seasons, the likes of Anthony Martial and Rasmus Hojlund have tried - and failed - to carry the burden of being the club’s primary source of goals, with the latter having managed just four league goals in the 2024/25 campaign.