Benjamin Sesko is becoming one of the most talked-about players at Manchester United this season, but not always for the reasons you might expect.
The Slovenian striker has built a reputation as the ultimate super sub at Old Trafford, scoring after coming off the bench in four of his last seven Premier League appearances.
Fans have been loud about wanting to see him start more regularly, but manager Michael Carrick has held firm and the numbers suggest he is making the right call.
United travel to Bournemouth on Friday night, and with Carrick again likely to weigh up his options in attack, the debate around Sesko’s role in the starting lineup is louder than ever but when you look at the stats it tells you a pretty clear story about where the 22-year-old is at right now, and why how hw is used from the bench role is working so well for everyone involved.
Benjamin Sesko Premier League stats compared to Cunha and Mbeumo this season
Sesko signed for United in a £66 million deal from RB Leipzig last summer, and it has been a mixed debut campaign in the Premier League.
He is finding his feet, his confidence is growing, and his eye for goal is not in question. But a comparison of his per-90 stats against Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha (the two players competing for that starting role) reveals some significant gaps in his all-round game at this stage.
| Stat (Per 90) | Sesko | Cunha | Mbeumo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shots on Target | 1.92 | 1.26 | 1.27 |
| Successful Passes | 11.7 | 25.4 | 22.7 |
| Chances Created | 0.55 | 1.13 | 1.65 |
| Successful Dribble % | 25% | 46.2% | 30.4% |
| Duels Won % | 38.2% | 46.3% | 31.1% |
| Touches | 31.5 | 55.4 | 47 |
Stats per Fotmob. The finishing numbers favour Sesko clearly, with nearly double the shots on target per 90 compared to either Cunha or Mbeumo. But everywhere else, the gap is stark.
Cunha and Mbeumo are both averaging significantly more successful passes, more touches, more chances created, and winning a higher percentage of their duels
. Sesko’s involvement in open play is substantially lower, and right now that is a problem for a United side that needs its striker to do more than just score.
Why Carrick’s Benjamin Sesko super sub role is a winning formula at Old Trafford
United are not yet at a point where they can carry a striker who drifts out of games for long stretches and waits for a moment to happen (aka your Haaland). And the movement of Cunha and Mbeumo, combined with their ability to link up with midfield and create for teammates, makes them more complete options to lead the line from the start.
Sesko’s time will come, and his natural development under Carrick is clearly heading in the right direction. But forcing him into the starting eleven right now could disrupt a balance that is working well.
What Carrick has found is a setup where Sesko makes an impact almost every time he steps off the bench.
Four goals as a substitute in his last seven Premier League appearances is a remarkable return, and it is exactly the kind of contribution that wins matches in the closing stages.
And changing that formula for the sake of it would be a strange decision.
Benjamin Sesko among Man United players backing Michael Carrick for permanent role
There is another angle to this story worth noting.
Former United chief scout Mick Brown recently told Football Insider that Sesko is among the players at the club who are pushing for Carrick to be handed the manager’s job on a full-time basis.
Brown described Sesko’s development under the interim boss as “amazing,” and suggested the striker will be keen to see the temporary appointment become permanent.
Brown also indicated that the general mood inside Old Trafford is one of strong support for Carrick, with players satisfied by the work he has done and hopeful he stays on for next season at minimum.
It is increasingly looking like Carrick will get the job at the end of the campaign, and a continued run of results heading into the summer will only strengthen that case.
