Rúben Amorim will be looking to replace Benjamin Šeško in his starting XI across the next few weeks amid the latest injury news about the Manchester United striker.
Benjamin Šeško will miss the next few weeks of action for Manchester United following a knee injury sustained against Tottenham Hotspur two weeks ago.
After initially withdrawing from the Slovenian national side set-up, news has confirmed that Šeško is set to miss around three weeks of action for the Reds, which means he could miss the next four or five games.
Rúben Amorim’s men are set to face Everton (H) and Crystal Palace (A) before the end of the month, with games against West Ham (A), Wolverhampton Wanderers (A), and Bournemouth (H) coming in the first two weeks of December.
According to various timelines, the 22-year-old could return to action on 21 December, when United travel to face Aston Villa, although it has been stressed that there is no confirmed return date as of yet.
Cunha is Šeško’s ideal replacement
Šeško has started seven of his 12 appearances so far this season, and when he’s instead come off the bench, fellow new signing Matheus Cunha has been deployed through the middle, acting as a false nine rather than a target man.
Speaking to Sky Sports, former Premier League striker Charlie Austin was asked if he feels Cunha is the right player to replace Šeško up front. “Yeah, I do. I do see that as an ideal replacement, or whatever,” the 36-year-old replied.
“Look, it was all working together [United’s forward line this season], It was all going well. And that’s where, obviously, he’s going to end up in there.
“But ultimately, he’s a player that you can put on the pitch, and he’s going to perform all over the place. We’ve seen him do that in that role many, many times now. But the issue will be going forward is can they get players around him that are going to make them runs off him?
“Because ultimately, you can say he’s not an out-and-out centre forward. He is a team player, drops in, does all the other stuff. If you get players around him, it’s game on.”
Amorim still has options at United
Last season, a significant issue Amorim suffered from was a lack of quality alternative options once injuries hit the squad, especially in the front line.
There was a point when Amad, the star winger from the previous season, Kobbie Mainoo, and Joshua Zirkzee all became ruled out due to injury, leaving Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Højlund, and Bruno Fernandes as the only attacking options across both the Premier League and the Europa League.
However, it is now becoming clear that the head coach has a much better attacking department to choose from. With Šeško out, Amorim could decide to play Cunha up front, but equally, Cunha could continue on the left, with either Zirkzee or Bryan Mbeumo through the middle.
There is also the argument to be had that Mason Mount, who is having his best season in Red, could slot back into the side across the front three.
Once Šeško returns, this will be around the same time that Mbeumo and Amad head to the African Cup of Nations, but even then, United should still have enough attacking talent to get by for the few weeks they are out.
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