No player sums up Manchester United’s recent luck quite like Benjamin Sesko: a striker signed to lead the line for a decade whose Old Trafford career keeps being interrupted just as it starts. This is the story so far.
The Arrival
Sesko arrived from RB Leipzig in August 2025 in one of that summer’s biggest deals — a fee reported at the time in the region of £66 million plus add-ons, rising towards £73 million. United beat serious competition for a 22-year-old with pace, height and a highlight reel of spectacular goals. The expectation was immediate; the reality was always going to take longer.
The Flashes
When he has played, the talent is obvious. In his first autumn he scored in back-to-back games against Sunderland and Brentford, showing the movement and finishing that made United pay the premium. He has scored big goals since, too — including in last season’s run to the Europa League final — and his hold-up play has visibly improved.
The Interruptions
The problem is the gaps. An injury in November 2025 broke his momentum; last season ended early for him; and this season a shin problem has already cost him games, with the club giving no firm return date. The current picture is always on our Man Utd injury news page, but the pattern is the story: rhythm is the one thing a young striker needs, and Sesko has never been allowed to build it at United.
The Judgement
Writing Sesko off would be foolish — he is 23, plays the hardest position to learn, and has shown his ceiling in bursts. But United cannot plan a season around a striker whose availability is a weekly question. January’s reported interest in another forward is not a verdict on Sesko; it is an admission that the squad needs insurance.
When he is back, the games come thick and fast — see our full fixture list. United supporters are still waiting for the Sesko run of ten straight starts that shows everyone what he really is.
