Manchester United have hinted at the possibility of Benjamin Šeško starting as Rúben Amorim welcomes Arsenal to Old Trafford on Sunday.
After five pre-season games across Sweden, the United States, and Old Trafford, Rúben Amorim’s Manchester United are ready to launch their 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
The Reds recorded victories over West Ham and Bournemouth, while draws with Leeds United, Everton, and Fiorentina kept them unbeaten. A shootout win over the Italian side secured the Snapdragon Cup to round off preparations in style.
All eyes now turn to Sunday, 17 August, when Arsenal visit Old Trafford in the season’s opening weekend.
The clash will mark competitive debuts for several new signings, with Benjamin Šeško, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo set to feature for United, while Viktor Gyökeres, Martin Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke are expected to make their first appearances for Mikel Arteta’s team.
United getting Šeško up to speed in training
While it’s almost certain that new striker Šeško will feature in some capacity against Arsenal, the big question is whether he will start or come off the bench.
Šeško has been undergoing a full week’s training with his new teammates, and with Rasmus Højlund’s future unclear amid interest from AC Milan, United do not have another senior striker.
Mason Mount was trialled upfront against Fiorentina and played well, although it was clear United were lacking a figurehead in the middle of the park with Joshua Zirkzee only just returning to full training after a month-long injury.
According to The Athletic, Šeško has already featured in a game under Amorim at Carrington, playing for the first time under his new head coach on Sunday in a private fixture against the club’s U21s team.
United getting Šeško ready to start?
While it was not explicitly stated whether Amorim is preparing Šeško to join the team from the start against Arsenal, it is clear that the new striker is being fast-tracked into the side.
It’s expected that the 22-year-old will become United’s first-choice striker for the coming campaign once he is ready to play, and with the Slovenian having undergone most of a pre-season with RB Leipzig before his £66.3 million move, his fitness is likely up to scratch.
United’s new No. 30 has been gelling well with his teammates during his first week in Manchester, and is well-suited to combine with players such as Mbeumo and Dorgu, who will be looking to supply the 6ft 5in centre-forward with plenty of chances.
While Mount is still a possibility for the striker position on Sunday, United’s clear intent to have Šeško as involved as possible with his teammates in game-like scenarios suggests that he could be named in the starting XI against Arsenal.
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