Michael Owen makes Benjamin Sesko prediction ahead of Manchester derby

Sesko is still waiting for his first league start (Picture: Getty)

Michael Owen will be ‘very surprised’ if Benjamin Sesko is left on the Manchester United bench in Sunday’s derby against Manchester City.

Sesko joined United in a £73million deal from RB Leipzig this summer, tasked with leading a new-look attack that also includes Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

The Slovenia international was a relatively late addition after a lengthy transfer battle with Newcastle United, joining up with his new teammates the week before his side’s season opener against Arsenal.

Sesko started on the bench that day, coming on in the second-half as he has done in each of United’s three league games so far this season.

His sole starting appearance came in the Carabao Cup where his side suffered a humiliating exit at the hands of League Two side Grimsby Town.

Amorim has stressed the importance of managing the 22-year-old’s adaption to English football carefully as well as allowing him time to settle into a new country.

Mason Mount has started ahead of the striker so far this season but an injury will rule the former Chelsea star out of the trip to the Etihad this afternoon.

United spent £73m on their new striker (Picture: Getty Images)

Former United striker Owen believes Amorim would have been more inclined to throw his new striker in ‘if he was tearing up trees in training’.

But with supporters desperate to see their new leading man in action having also got more minutes under his belt with his country during the international break, now could be the time to unleash him.

‘He came in reasonably late,’ Owen told Metro via betting site BetSelect.

‘If he were absolutely tearing up trees in training, if he was banging goals in left, right, and centre and looking unbelievable, then Amorim would be thinking, “geez, we just got to get him in straight away.”

‘But he’s probably taking a little bit of time to find his feet and find his fitness and things like that. Manchester United have got a lot more attacking options this year, following that transfer blitz that they had in the summer on attacking players.

‘I’d be very surprised if he’s on the bench much longer. He should be starting soon. This international break will give him time to get even fitter. And I would have thought he’d be starting soon.

‘It remains to be seen [if he’ll have a big impact on the team. Let’s just wait and see on Sesko. Let’s watch him a few times before we start forming an opinion. At the moment, he hasn’t been given much of a chance.’

Gyokeres ‘proven’ but Arsenal must create for him

Arsenal were also keen on Sesko before landing on Viktor Gyokeres who scored his third goal for the club in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

The Sweden international drew a blank in big games against United and Liverpool with Owen suggesting it is up to Arsenal’s creative players to bring the best out of him.

Gyokeres was on the score sheet again on Saturday (Picture: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

‘As a centre forward, you’re beholden to what your team produces, the chances they give you, and the opportunities they create for you,’ Owen said.

‘He’s a proven goal scorer. I’m sure he’ll score a lot of goals this season. And Arsenal obviously needed that type of player, a number nine. They were crying out for one for many years. They’ve now got one. Whether he’s the right one, time will tell. 

‘He’s very different from what they’ve got. He does like running in behind, running the channels. He’s quite a strong boy, uses his body well, and is a good finisher. He wouldn’t be a great linking up, but they’ve got other players that can do that as well. So again, it remains to be seen. Yeah, he’s got pros and cons, and it’s early days.’

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