‘I’d have my doubts’: Ballon d’Or winner says INEOS signing isn’t long-term solution to problem position | OneFootball

Michael Owen has expressed his doubts over Benjamin Sesko’s long-term suitability at Manchester United.

The centre-forward will enter 2026/2027 in the same way he ended 2025/2026: battling for a starting spot.

Benjamin Sesko: The state of play

Indeed, Sesko is vying with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha to lead the line for United, while the impending addition of Marcus Rashford may make it even more difficult for the youngster to stake his claim.

There will be more opportunities for the attackers to share the goalscoring burden after the summer thanks to the addition of Champions League football, though it remains to be seen who will be occupying the No.9 slot each week in the Premier League.

From Sesko’s perspective, he’s certainly done all he can to prove himself to Michael Carrick and United fans.

Despite enduring a slow start to his maiden campaign, the Slovenian oversaw his most prolific form in the final months, particularly since Carrick took the reins in January.

How did Sesko fare last season?

In the 595 minutes he played under Carrick alone, Sesko notched seven goals in 13 appearances, only six of which were starts.

His term ended prematurely due to a shin injury that was re-aggravated in the home win over Liverpool on May 3 – a game he also scored in.

The issue caused him to miss the final three fixtures of the campaign, and he has yet to feature in pre-season.

Sesko’s complete 25/26 PL record

What Owen had to say about Sesko

Yet, Owen isn’t fully convinced by Sesko based on what he’s seen thus far.

He said recently (as per GOAL): “Well, a lot of the time, half the time he [Sesko] doesn’t even play and they do quite well anyway.

“Whether they push Cunha up front or Mbeumo or whoever, they’ve managed without him. Even though he’s the only out-and-out centre forward, if it was the European Cup final next week, then I’m not sure he would start. If they had another option, a better option, I’m sure they would take that.

“However, he has surprised a few. He wasn’t that convincing right at the start, but it’s not easy to be convincing in the Manchester United team over the last decade or so.

“Obviously, in the second half of the season, Manchester United are playing really, really well. He’s grown into the role as well. You’d definitely say he’s going to get more game time this season and see how he does.

“Do I see him as the long-term Manchester United centre forward? I’d have my doubts.”

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