Red-hot Man United ace insists he is now “way better” than last season

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Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko missed the final weeks of last season after picking up an injury during the 3-2 win over Liverpool. By then, the Slovenian had all but confirmed the Red Devils’ participation in the Champions League this season, finishing the campaign with 12 goals.

Benjamin Sesko Stats: 2025/26 Season

In what may seem like poetic justice, earlier this week, Sesko started the English giants’ first game in the premier European club competition in almost three years. The 23 year old even got on the scoresheet in the 4-0 win over Sabah.

Sesko is now back to full fitness and is raring to go ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby. United take on bitter rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford this weekend, and speaking ahead of the tie, Sesko opened up on his recent tryst with injury.

Sesko explains the reason for delayed return to action

Speaking to The Athletic, Sesko insisted that his return from injury was delayed to ensure there was no recurrence of the old injury. He said: “Basically I got a kick last season, but it was also a little bit overload for myself.”

“It just needed a little bit longer than usual, because if you start too early it might appear again and I think it was a great decision to wait a little longer and now it’s healed, so it’s perfect. It was just to make sure that it doesn’t get worse.”

A bulked-up picture of the Slovenian striker emerged over the summer, but he has since trimmed his figure after adding cardio to his regime. Reflecting on the matter, Sesko added: “I had quite some time from the injury that I could gain some muscle.”

“I lost already so much [size] because I was overweight with muscles and I couldn’t really move so much. But now I feel very good and I think I’m in the right place at the moment. The more games I’m getting, the more comfortable I feel, the more free I feel in the game.”

“For me focus is all scoring goals, to provide everything for this club but then also certain things, whether that’s link-up play, or this little bit that can be all-around, I think it would just come in time.”

United striker not setting personal targets

Sesko has already scored twice in four appearances this season, three of which were from the bench. While he will surely be looking to improve on his returns from last campaign, the Slovenian insisted that he has not set any personal goalscoring targets, continuing: “I’m not trying to set certain numbers because it’s important for me just to provide in each game.”

United saw off stiff competition last summer to secure the Slovenian’s signature. However, it has since been reported that the Red Devils had also previously attempted to sign him, especially during his time at Domzale in Slovenia.

Only 16 years old at that time, Sesko’s talent was already evident, but he joined Red Bull Salzburg instead of making the move to Old Trafford. Recalling the saga, the player said: “It was just the moment that we decided, because I think it was important.”

“It would be a little bit too huge of a step for me to jump from Austria, from Slovenia directly to Manchester United, so I just needed those steps to get better.”

“I am way better, especially than last season, because obviously I changed the country, everything was new for me but now for me it’s like I’m really enjoying. I’m happy here, I love life here, my team-mates are perfect and I can’t really complain about anything.”

Final Thoughts

United’s decision not to invest in an established striker this summer signals their immense trust in Sesko. If the Red Devils are to find success this season, they will need their Slovenian hitman to continue his good start and become the No. 9 that Old Trafford has desperately missed in recent years.