Man Utd beginning XI with Benjamin Sesko substitute as January switch lined up
Benjamin Sesko is set to be sidelined for several weeks after suffering a knee injury in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham, with Ivan Toney a potential replacement
Manchester United may be forced to dip into the January transfer market for a new striker after Benjamin Sesko sustained a knee injury during Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham.
Sesko was forced off just 30 minutes into the match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, having injured his knee in a tackle by Micky van de Ven. The 23-year-old was seen leaving the stadium without crutches but appeared to be in considerable pain and was not moving easily.
United confirmed on Monday that Sesko will not join up with the Slovenia squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Kosovo this Saturday and Sweden next Tuesday. Instead, the former RB Leipzig forward will stay at Carrington for further assessment this week.
While insiders suggest the problem is not believed to be serious, there are rumours that United might need to look for another striker in the January transfer window. One name being floated as a potential target is Al-Ahli’s Ivan Toney.
The 29-year-old had a three-year stint in the Premier League with Brentford, netting 36 top-flight goals in 83 appearances, before making the move to Saudi Arabia last summer. Since his switch to the Middle East, Toney has been in exceptional form, scoring 41 times in 59 matches.
Should United opt for Toney as a replacement for the injured Sesko, he would take up the No. 9 role in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation, with current second-choice striker Joshua Zirkzee likely to move on.
Toney would be flanked by his former Brentford teammate Bryan Mbeumo on the right and Matheus Cunha on the left.
In midfield, Casemiro, who has seen a resurgence since Ruben Amorim reintroduced him to the starting XI last season, would pair up with captain Bruno Fernandes.
Amad Diallo would retain his position as the right-wing back, while Diogo Dalot, who was benched for Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham, would replace Patrick Dorgu as the left-wing back.
At the back, Amorim has maintained a consistent central defensive trio in recent weeks, featuring Harry Maguire in the middle, Matthijs de Ligt on the right, and Luke Shaw on the left.
The choice of goalkeeper is straightforward, with Senne Lammens serving as the No. 1. The Belgian has been impressive since taking over from Altay Bayindir for United’s victory over Sunderland last month.
Man United’s potential starting XI with Sesko’s replacement: Lammens; De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot; Mbeumo, Cunha; Toney.
