Report: If Rashford Cannot Play Tomorrow, Sesko Could Get a Starting Opportunity

On September 11 Beijing time, Manchester United will host Azerbaijani side Sabah Baku in the first round of the Champions League league phase. Before the match, Daily Mail reporter Chris Wheeler wrote that Sesko could make his first start in this game.

As Manchester United prepare to officially return to the Champions League, Slovenian sports media have reacted strongly to manager Michael Carrick's handling of Sesko's role.

Slovenian Champions League broadcaster 24ur Sport asked: “The Champions League is finally back! But is Sesko now a victim of the coach's tactical system?” Sports outlet Ekipa pointed criticism toward Cunha, with the “false nine” having occupied the starting role in the first three league matches and leaving Sesko on the bench.

In Sunday's 2-2 draw away at Everton, the Slovenian fan favorite came on as a substitute, replacing an ineffective Cunha and scoring a goal. Ekipa then criticized the lineup decisions, writing that Sesko shone while highlighting the Brazilian's poor statistics.

“Cunha was completely out of form, with a disastrous performance. He had no shots on target, no assists, no successful dribbles, lost possession 11 times, and lost every aerial duel.”

“But Carrick still believes Sesko is more effective as a substitute and continues to use the Brazilian as the starting center forward, which has angered travelling fans. They shouted: Sesko must start!”

Although calls for Sesko to start have not yet reached a peak among Manchester United's home supporters, he could receive a turnaround opportunity in the coming days as Carrick must manage player minutes between Thursday's Champions League opener against Sabah Baku and Sunday's 199th Manchester derby at Old Trafford.

The Manchester United manager knows Thursday's opponent Sabah Baku was only founded in 2017. Their coach Valdas Dambrauskas reportedly raised the equivalent of today's £2,500 by taking part in Lithuania's version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in 2002 to fund his coaching education. United cannot afford to lose against such an opponent.

However, United's start to the season has not been ideal, taking only four points against Hull City, Ipswich Town and Everton. This leaves them with less room for error before the Manchester derby. Whether this means Sesko will naturally earn a start after three consecutive substitute appearances remains to be seen.

It depends entirely on whether Carrick continues with the 4-2-3-1 formation and false-nine system used during pre-season and the start of the campaign. Mbeumo played as a striker in pre-season, but after Amad Diallo's unexpected injury before the opening match, he returned to the right wing and Cunha took over the false-nine role.

Meanwhile, Sesko had previously been sidelined by a troublesome tibia injury. The injury forced him to miss a long period late in his first season at United after his £74 million transfer from RB Leipzig, when he was unable to make appearances.

This summer, the young striker held an annual private 23rd birthday party for his supporters' club in his hometown of Radeče. Judging by his extremely strong physique, he apparently avoided the cake and spent most of the off-season in the gym.

Previously described as a “control freak” by former United manager Ruben Amorim, Sesko even purchased a private home equipped with a professional gym, swimming pool, ice bath and sauna so he could maintain intense training and recovery routines. He also uses Carrington's hyperbaric chamber and red-light therapy equipment, works with a personal fitness coach, uses virtual reality glasses to simulate match situations, has a psychology coach and maintains meditation training.

Carrick said on Wednesday: “Ben's condition is clearly improving. He has been out since the end of April after the Liverpool match, so we have to take great care with his recovery and fitness.”

“He has been able to fully participate in team training without restrictions for a little over three weeks. You can clearly see that in his match rhythm after coming on. The goal against Everton was excellent, just like the ones he produced for us many times last season.”

“He is in good shape now and will obviously be involved in every match coming up, but we need to wait for the right moment to take the next step.”

Under Amorim, Sesko scored only two goals before the Portuguese coach was dismissed in January. Fletcher then took charge as interim manager, starting Sesko in both matches and being rewarded with three goals. In Carrick's 13 matches in charge, Sesko has scored seven more goals, although he came off the bench in the first six of those games.

Before his injury, he started four consecutive matches, after which the new coach returned to the false-nine system and Cunha regained his starting place. This approach has continued into this season. Interestingly, United's U21 and U18 teams have recently used similar tactics, suggesting a broader tactical shift at club level.

However, Cunha has offered limited threat this season, either dropping too deep or moving too wide, leaving United without a central attacking presence. In possession, Bruno Fernandes is often the furthest forward player; when United defend in a 4-2-4 shape, he pushes up from the No.10 position to lead the press.

The United captain scored a hat-trick against Ipswich, while Mbeumo scored against the Premier League newcomers and later produced a brilliant solo goal against Everton on Sunday.

Rashford has been in generally good form since returning to United. Against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, he was arguably the team's best player until he was forced off with a hamstring injury.

If Rashford cannot play against Sabah, Cunha could move back to the left wing—provided Carrick does not rest him—creating space for Sesko to start as the central striker. Carrick has several tactical options, but despite fielding a lively front four of Cunha, Rashford, Mbeumo and Fernandes, he has yet to unlock their full potential. United are also missing Amad's direct attacking threat, with his return to outdoor training still unavailable and a comeback potentially not until after the next international break.

Against Everton, the hosts, who urgently need a new striker, registered 18 shots compared with United's 14, while their expected goals figure was also clearly higher. Cunha also missed a major chance in the first half by sending the ball over the bar.

After Sesko came on, United finally had a more traditional striker option. Standing 6 feet 5 inches (around 1.96m) tall and appearing stronger this season, he provided a major physical challenge for Everton's defense.

When Luke Shaw delivered a precise cross, Everton's defense could not stop him as he rose high to score a header. He looked set to secure victory for United until Maitland-Niles scored a dramatic equalizer.

After the match, Sesko said: “It feels great to be back on the pitch. Scoring is the best feeling, especially scoring a goal like this. Scoring for the team and helping earn points is my responsibility.”

Whether this impressive performance can convince Carrick to give him a “last-minute start” against Sabah Baku on Thursday remains to be seen. According to Slovenian outlet 24ur Sport, it “seems like an excellent opportunity.”