Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
The 2026/27 Premier League season is just three weeks away, yet Benjamin Sesko hasn’t been able to get any minutes on the pitch under his belt in pre-season.
Benjamin Sesko’s physique was one of the starkest differences at Carrington this summer when the players returned for pre-season training.
After failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Sesko should have had the entire summer to recharge his batteries and work on his strength, but preparations were hindered by the persistent shin injury that ended his debut campaign prematurely at Old Trafford.
As a consequence, United have been without a recognised striker for every pre-season match this summer.
Benjamin Sesko walking out to train at Carrington in the sunshine
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Pre-season is proof Man Utd need cover for Benjamin Sesko
Although Sesko has been working on his fitness at Carrington with Michael Carrick and his coaching staff, United could still start the season with a striker lacking match sharpness.
Usually, if Sesko was out, Carrick would be able to call upon Matheus Cunha, but the Brazilian had been representing Brazil at the World Cup earlier this summer. The 27-year-old tends to play as a false nine when deployed as a striker anyhow, which means he isn’t a true centre-forward.
The same applies to Bryan Mbeumo because the Cameroon international is more than capable of leading the line. That just means Carrick would need to take him out of his preferred role on the right side of United’s attack.
United are on the verge of stepping into a competitive season with the Premier League, Champions League and other cup competitions at play. Carrick is going to need multiple options in each position.
Furthermore, it has been evident since Joshua Zirkzee’s transfer from Bologna in 2024 that the Dutchman is not that player. He doesn’t have the required eye for goal when asked to make a difference in games from the bench.
This is why I am baffled that United overlooked the possibility of re-signing Danny Welbeck ahead of Chelsea. The 35-year-old knows how to score goals in the Premier League, making him a better-than-nothing solution for one or two years.
It will be a huge risk if United start the new season without signing a new striker. Maybe a serious offer for Zirkzee is what the club need to get them into gear.
Even from the perspective of preparation, Sesko is hoping to build on a debut season that saw him score 12 goals in 32 matches across all competitions. He may look stronger, but what will that be worth if he’s behind everyone else at the start of the campaign?
I hope United have some sort of plan in place.
⚡️KEY TAKEAWAYS
Benjamin Sesko has been rehabilitating from a shin injury throughout pre-season
The Slovenian striker has missed United’s first three pre-season matches as a result
This means United have been preparing for the 2026/27 season without a striker
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According to The Sun, Sesko as well as Lisandro Martinez are both set to be fit for the start of the season for United.
Martinez suffered an injury in Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain, but the setback is not feared to be serious.
The report adds that Sesko’s rehabilitation from injury is on track.
Sesko began outdoor training last week and is expected to participate in team sessions this week, although that has not yet happened.
United have three pre-season games left to play before travelling to Hull City in their Premier League opener.