Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has fuelled the derby drama with a huge selection hint ahead of today’s showdown with Manchester City.
The Red Devils make the short trip to the Etihad Stadium to face their bitter rivals in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season.
Speaking to the media in the pre-match press conference, Amorim suggested that Benjamin Sesko could be handed his first Premier League start.
He said (via ManUtd.com): “If you see, against Burnley, he had some movements, especially inside the box, that we don’t have with Josh [Zirkzee], [Matheus] Cunha and even with Rasmus [Hojlund] in the past.
“We have a guy who likes to go inside the box to have a header, he can run – we need to use him more as a runner. He’s going to improve.
“You can feel that he feels the pace is different, he’s going to get used to that, but maybe, against City, it’s a good moment to start the game!”
Sesko completed his £73.6 million transfer from RB Leipzig last month.
All eyes will be on Benjamin Sesko
Amorim has kept the 22-year-old on a cautious introduction, using him as a second-half substitute in all three Premier League games.
His only start came in the second round of the Carabao Cup against Grimsby Town.
With Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount both injured, Amorim may have no choice but to unleash his new number nine from the start.
The Slovenian played 180 minutes of football during the international break, which should have helped him regain his rhythm.
Scoring his maiden United goal against City will give him a major confidence boost.
Sesko is one of the best emerging strikers in Europe but he will still need time to adapt to the unforgiving intensity of English football.
Playing for United demands resilience and a fighting mentality.
His critics will forget that he is still very young and may try to write him off if he fails to make an impact today.
Amorim has already confirmed that Altay Bayindir will start between the sticks against the Citizens, despite the arrival of new shot-stopper Senne Lammens.
Now Sesko looks set to start in the local derby.
