Benjamin Sesko opted to take the No.30 shirt at Manchester United following his move from RB Leipzig, but that might change in 2026/27.
Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko is on a scoring streak in 2026 and suddenly the £66m deal to sign the Slovenian in the summer is looking like very smart business.
Sesko has shown an elite mentality at United. When he has been out of the starting XI, he has refused to hang his head and has instead shown Michael Carrick why he needs to be starting games.
Sources at Carrington and Old Trafford have said that Sesko is an upgrade on Rasmus Hojlund, and the 22-year-old has already beaten the Dane’s goal record from last season. Next season, he could take his old No.9 shirt away from him.
Benjamin Sesko celebrates during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
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Benjamin Sesko wanted No.9 Man Utd shirt
According to The Athletic, United’s recruitment chief Christopher Vivell showed Benjamin Sesko a video presentation while in negotiations to sign him.
The presentation included clips of Sesko’s goals and fans walking around Old Trafford in No.9 United shirts with his name on the back.
The report adds that Sesko tried the No.9 shirt on and told those in the meeting that it was “exactly what he wanted”. However, Rasmus Hojlund was United’s No.9 at the time and he was yet to depart for Napoli.
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Out of respect for his fellow striker, Sesko chose to take the No.30 shirt rather than wait for Hojlund’s exit.
But after a strong debut season at United, Sesko could make the step up and grab the No.9 shirt that has been vacant since Hojlund’s exit.
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Previous No.9s at Man Utd that Benjamin Sesko will follow
If Sesko does choose to take the No.9 shirt at United, he will follow in the footsteps of some club legends.
Andy Cole, Eric Cantona, Denis Law, Sir Bobby Charlton and Duncan Edwards have all worn the No.9 throughout their United careers.
READ MORE: Manchester United squad numbers 2025/26, shirt number history
Before Hojlund, Anthony Martial had the No.9 shirt at United between 2019 and 2024. Before him, Romelu Lukaku, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Radamel Falcao wore the iconic striker number for the Red Devils.
Sesko is yet to actually wear the No.9 shirt for any club he has played at, wearing No.30 for United and both Red Bull clubs, and the No.11 for Slovenia.
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