A simmering discontent is brewing at Manchester United, not on the pitch, but in the representation of a rising star. Benjamin Sesko’s agent has voiced his frustration with the label of ‘super-sub’ being applied to his client, arguing it fundamentally undervalues the player’s capabilities.
Sesko’s season began with a frustrating stutter, marked by just two goals and a month sidelined with a knee injury. However, a dramatic shift occurred following Ruben Amorim’s exit, igniting a remarkable run of form under successive managers, Darren Fletcher and now Michael Carrick.
Since Amorim’s departure, Sesko has found the net three times in just two appearances under Fletcher, a promising return that has continued to flourish under Carrick’s guidance. Despite this electrifying impact, Carrick has largely utilized Sesko from the bench.
Five of Sesko’s goals have arrived as a substitute, a pattern drawing comparisons to the legendary Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. But Sesko’s agent, Elvis Basanovic, vehemently rejects the comparison, believing his client deserves greater recognition.
“If you ask me about this name, I don’t like it,” Basanovic stated, passionately advocating for a different title. “I like ‘super striker’ much more. I think Benjamin is a super striker.”
The statistics, according to his agent, support this claim. Sesko has started 13 games this year, appearing as a substitute in an equal number. Crucially, half of his goals have come from starting appearances, and half from coming off the bench – a testament to his all-around threat.
With United locked in a fierce battle for Champions League qualification, every goal is vital. Carrick has consistently praised Sesko’s contributions, but the calls for more consistent starts are growing louder.
The remaining schedule presents a challenging path, beginning with a crucial home fixture against Aston Villa. Former United star Wes Brown predicts a narrow 1-0 victory, acknowledging Villa’s recent struggles in front of goal.
A trip to Bournemouth is anticipated to yield another win, a 2-0 scoreline predicted by Brown. However, the home clash against Leeds is tipped to end in a 1-1 draw, citing the extended break between matches.
The encounter with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is viewed as a pivotal moment, with Brown forecasting a thrilling 3-2 victory for United, contingent on maintaining momentum and exploiting Chelsea’s inconsistency.
Further ahead, Brown anticipates wins against Brentford (1-0) and a hard-fought draw against Liverpool (2-2). A trip to Sunderland is expected to result in a narrow 1-0 win, leveraging United’s historical success at the Stadium of Light.
The penultimate home game against Nottingham Forest is predicted to be a comfortable 2-0 victory, while the season finale at Brighton is expected to end in a 1-1 draw.
Sesko, meanwhile, will remain in Manchester during the upcoming international break, having withdrawn from the Slovenia squad to focus on maintaining his fitness and preparing for the crucial run-in. The question remains: will Carrick unleash the ‘super striker’ from the start, or continue to rely on his impact from the bench?
