Sesko injury forces rethink - How Amorim can keep Manchester United firing

Fabrizio Tabone
Nov 20
3 min read

Benjamin Sesko's knee injury sustained in Manchester United's draw with Tottenham has posed an attacking headache for Ruben Amorim, but he may have some options to work with.

Sesko will be out for at most a month, with United confirming that he has avoided major ligament issues. However, his absence will overlap with a number of key Premier League fixtures, as United seek to continue climbing up the table, building on their current momentum. His time out could be longer as he recovers and regains full fitness.

The timing of the injury has forced Amorim to think about the attack, especially with the busy festive season coming up, a time where United will be without Bryan Mbemo and Amad, who will both be away for AFCON.

How can Amorim fill the gap in the attack?

Here are some ways Amorim can possibly reconfigure the attack during Sesko's absence, utilising the players currently available for selection.

1) Matheus Cunha up front

One option, and possibly the simplest available, that Amorim has utilised on more than one occasion already this season is to put Matheus Cunha up front.

Cunha is perfectly capable of playing down the middle, drifting into the channels, linking play, and also creating uncertainty for opposition defenders. This was particularly clear in the 2-1 win away at Anfield, with Cunha and Mbeumo picking up neat spaces in between the Liverpool midfield and defence.

The Brazilian could be supported by Mbeumo and Mason Mount, allowing for a very fluid front three that will focus more on United being sharp in their counterattacks, an area which Amorim's side has thrived in this season.

The only issue that this option will be slightly weaker against sides who tend to sit back and defend deep, not allowing United any space. United's upcoming matches? At home to David Moyes' Everton, away to Crystal Palace, and then at home again to Nuno Espirito Santo's West Ham United, all sides who tend to allow sides to have the ball and then counter.

This is probably the solution that Amorim will go for, being extremely flexible. However, it is also one that needs to be adapted game by game.

2) Mason Mount as a false nine

Another possibility is to allow Cunha and Mbeumo to remain in the attacking midfield positions, shifting Mount further forward instead.

Mount has started the season very well, despite sustaining a minor injury earlier. The Englishman thrives on receiving the ball in tight spaces, linking up play with Cunha and Mbeumo, two players he seems to have a very good relationship with.

Deploying him as a forward will enable Mbeumo and Cunha to have more freedom and roam into space, while Mount presses from the front, an attribute he has excelled at under Amorim.

However, Mount is not as physically imposing as other forwards, and therefore he may struggle against taller and stronger defenders. United may end up lacking a focal point in this manner.

3) Playing Joshua Zirkzee

Sesko's injury may mean that United's forgotten man, Joshua Zirkzee, may actually get a chance to start a game.

Zirkzee is United's only senior forward - other than Sesko - who would naturally slot in the role. Playing him would enable Cunha and Mbeumo to operate behind him.

While he has a physical presence and can hold the ball up well, probably not as good as Sesko, but still pretty well, he is also cleaner in possession.

The major concern about Zirkzee is that he has shown a distinct lack of consistency, and has been far from clinical. Additionally, he has barely had any minutes, so slotting him in the team after such a long time since his last start, could end up being a recipe for disaster for a forward who is already suffering from a lack of confidence.

Relying on Zirkzee may seem like the obvious choice, but it could also be the one Amorim is the most reluctant to opt for.

Upcoming matches a test of Amorim's creativity

Sesko's absence comes at a very inconvenient time, but it could also serve as an opportunity to assess different options.

The upcoming weeks will be a test for Amorim's adaptability, as United look to push forward and extend their unbeaten run.

Our verdict: Matheus Cunha

We would opt for starting Cunha, similarly to how United lined up against Liverpool, allowing Mbeumo and Mount to operate in behind the Brazilian. This should allow the attack to be very fluid, and given the three have started together regularly, they have already shown their qualities and linked up well.

Should United be comfortably ahead against Everton, then it would be ideal to give Zirkzee some minutes. The more options, the better.