Man Utd striker Benjamin Sesko is back to full fitness after recovering from a shin injury that he aggravated last season.
Benjamin Sesko could make his first start for Manchester United in the Premier League for 133 days in the Manchester derby.
Michael Carrick is likely to revert to a striker-less attacking line for Manchester City’s visit to Old Trafford, but Sesko gave his manager something to think about by scoring against Sabah SK in the Champions League.
Sesko made his first start of the season against Sabah, which he “really enjoyed” after making appearances from the bench in United’s opening league games against Hull, Ipswich Town and Everton.
Whether Carrick believes Sesko is the right choice to play up front against City, a game in which his team will try to counter-attack, remains to be seen, but he is back to full fitness after recovering from a shin injury.
“I got a kick last season, but it was also a little bit of an overload from myself,” Sesko said, referring to a challenge from Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate in May, which aggravated an existing shin injury.
The kick from Konate was enough to keep Sesko out of pre-season entirely. He did not play a single minute across the summer, but insiders were adamant that he would return for the first game against Hull.
“It was basically just to make sure that it doesn’t get worse because this was kind of a problem,” he explained.
“We just needed a little bit longer, longer than usual, because if you start too early, it might appear again. And I think waiting a little bit longer was a great decision, and now it’s healed, so it’s perfect.”
Sesko stayed behind at Carrington over the summer while United made trips around Europe, and photos published by the club’s in-house photographer showed that he’d used the time to bulk up.
The Slovenia international deliberately cut in the weeks before the season to be more agile, though. “Obviously, I had quite some time from the injury to gain some muscle,” he said.
“I lost a lot because I was overweight with muscles, and I couldn’t really move so much, but now I feel very good and I think I’m in the right place at the moment.”
Sesko now feels he’s in the best place he’s been in since his arrival from RB Leipzig last year. “Way better, especially than last season. I changed a country,” he said when asked about his mental and physical state.
“Everything was new for me. Now, for me, it’s like I’m really enjoying it. I’m really happy here. I love life here. I have teammates that are perfect. I can’t really complain about anything.
“I like the vibes. I even like to go to the city for a walk. I can do certain arcade things that I like to do in my free time. Then, obviously, spending a little time with the players.”
Sesko is an introvert, but he comes out of his shell when he gets to know somebody. “Beni was very shy and quiet at first contact,” his former coach, Mirsad Mujakić, from Slovenian team NK Krško told the Manchester Evening News.
“However, already in the first training sessions, he showed exceptional athletic abilities and technical knowledge, which players at this age usually do not have.
“He was an exceptional boy, all his teammates loved him because of his positive nature. At the same time, he knew how to motivate the team and encourage his teammates to work extra hard.”
Sesko has developed a close friendship with Diogo Dalot, bonding during their early visits to Carrington before the mandatory training reporting time.
“He’s an early bird as well, so the first few weeks we were coming into Carrington at the same time and we created this bond,” Dalot told the MEN last season.
“We both have very similar ways of behaving and thinking, so it became a natural, good relationship, and I think that sometimes helps you to also adapt quickly to a new environment, to a new league, to a new country.”
Sesko was brought off in the 64th minute against Sabah on Thursday, and Carrick may have made that change to keep him fresh for the Manchester derby. United were dominant against Sabah, and the win was a confidence booster ahead of the City clash.
Carrick oversaw a 2-0 win against City in his first game in charge following his interim appointment in January. “Unbelievable,” Sesko said of the game. “It was very, very nice. I’m really hoping for a moment like this again on Sunday. I think we can put in a great performance.
“I think again I said many times what he [Carrick] provided for us already. Even from the start, when he came, it was something special. I think everyone felt it.”
Carrick has got a tune out of Sesko since his return to the club. “The more games I’m getting, the more comfortable I feel and the more free I feel in the game as well,” he said. “For me, focus is all about scoring goals to provide everything for this team.
“But then also certain things, like link-up play, these little things that can be better. I think it will just come now for the time being. I’m here. I feel every day better and better. This is the most important.”
Sesko has his feet on the ground as he looks to develop into one of the world’s best strikers. “I try to give everything to this club. We talk about legends that are the best of the best in the world. I’m still very far from that,” he reflected.
“I’m just trying to get better each day, trying to provide for this club and for me to get better.”
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