Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has predicted who could score a winning goal for Rúben Amorim against Manchester City this weekend.
Manchester United resume their Premier League journey this weekend as Rúben Amorim leads his side into a derby clash with Manchester City.
Both clubs have struggled to find form in the early stages. United’s opening three fixtures have produced one win, one draw and one defeat, while City sit 13th with just three points to their name.
The derby represents a major opportunity for either side to change the direction of their season and deepen their rivals’ problems in what has already been an unpredictable start.
At the Etihad last time out, United produced a stunning turnaround, with late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Amad sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory just before the turn of the year.
Saha feels Šeško can score the winning goal
United’s front line and midfield look as if they will see significant changes this weekend due to the injuries of Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount. Fernandes could step into the front line, while Kobbie Mainoo looks likely to be drafted into midfield alongside Casemiro.
However, another change that’s expected is that Benjamin Šeško, the new striker signing from RB Leipzig, is likely to start his first match as United’s Premier League centre-forward. Speaking to FlashScore, former United striker Louis Saha believes the 22-year-old could grab the winning goal.
“It could be a good win for Manchester United,” Saha explained. “I can see the first goal of Benjamin Šeško for some reason. I can see a strong performance because it’s a derby.
“It seems that we operate very well against the bigger teams. We managed to upset the big players. I think they have good players, but there is a tactic that could upset them.
“Where before I thought it was not the case, we were always like three or four seconds late, and that’s not the case. It’s been a bit tighter. So yes, I think that we can look for something like an upset in some way.
“0-1 with Benjamin Šeško scoring? Something like this. I can see that. Tactically, United are way better as we’ve shown against Arsenal, but it’s about being able to actually score that goal, and I think Šeško could be the answer because I think he’s starting to get used to the Premier League.
“He needs a good understanding of what is going to be asked from him, and I think it will be a really nice scenario.
“Rúben Amorim will say he wants a performance. He wants a benchmark that is there to stay. But yes, of course, he knows that it’s really important because it’s a derby game, and we need to win games now. But what he wants, if you ask him, is a team that he knows will perform the same way on the next day, even against a lesser team.
“This is what he’s dreaming of now. And yes, it’s good to have a good performance against Man City, but if the next game you play like you play against Grimsby, it doesn’t mean anything.”
Šeško winner would be the perfect statement of intent
So far this season, United’s start has been thoroughly underwhelming. Losses against Arsenal and Grimsby revealed several holes that need to be addressed. As well, poor finishing meant only a draw could be secured against Fulham, while the side’s 3-2 win against Burnley was not without its faults.
With the tie against City having come after two weeks away from the headlines and away from the field for United, a win against their bitter rivals would be the perfect statement of intent for Amorim.
City have been far from their best this season, winning only one of their three league ties so far. If United can capitalise by coming away with a genuinely convincing performance and three points on Sunday evening, Amorim will finally have something to shout about after pre-season preparations.
Similarly, a goal from Šeško, especially if it’s a winning effort, would help cement himself within the English football top flight. So far, he has made three appearances, all off the bench, and has yet to be heavily involved in any significant moments for the Reds. In his only start against Grimsby, United’s creators could not find him too often.
But if he can get off the mark with a goal against City, this will end the wait for his first goal and help put his name on the map, which sets him up perfectly to continue as Amorim’s new first-choice striker.
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