Benjamin Sesko is set to face a huge season in his Manchester United career with Michael Carrick’s side now back in the Champions League.
The 23-year-old arrived last summer in a deal that could climb to £74million from RB Leipzig and scored 11 times in his debut campaign. Sesko’s first season put the building blocks in place as he would have wanted to hit the ground running this summer with a full pre-season available after Slovenia missed out on the World Cup.
However, Sesko has not played a minute of matches this summer and is still recovering from a persistent injury he suffered against Liverpool after the end of last season.
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Initially, the knock was believed not to be too serious but it continues to leave him unavailable and unable to have a pre-season.
But former United striker Michael Owen believes that concerns about Sesko run deeper than just his current injury as the Premier League winner casts doubt over the big Slovenian’s quality to lead the line.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport, Owen, the former England striker who now helps UK gamblers compare online casinos as the British ambassador for Casino.org, shared his concerns about Sesko’s long-term capabilities.
He said: “There are few number 9s out there for Man Utd to look at so Sesko is the main one taking the shirt at the minute. He performed well towards the end of the season, so will lead the line for the start of the season.
“I don’t think he is the long-term future for Manchester United, but with having more games now with the Champions League back at Old Trafford, it’s important he plays and scores.”
Owen added that while current options in the market are limited, Carrick can recall Marcus Rashford to the squad after 18 months away from the club.
Rashford has been given the No.14 shirt for the season with transfer interest so far failing to materialise after Barcelona rejected the chance to sign the 28-year-old for £26m.
Owen continued: “It’s then up to others to contribute with goals and the decision on Rashford needs to be made swiftly as Michael Carrick can be the perfect type of manager to put an arm around Marcus to get him to perform for Man Utd.”
Rashford was absent from United’s friendly against Leeds in Dublin on Wednesday night as Carrick said he, Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez were granted more time to recover following their extended break after the World Cup.
The England international could return against AC Milan on Saturday after being with the squad at Croke Park, but not in the team.