The injury Benjamin Sesko suffered before the November international break could keep him out of action for up to a month. Kobbie Mainoo is one player who could take advantage of that following a struggle to get sufficient game time since the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign.
Although Manchester United are suffering from fewer injuries this season, Ruben Amorim has been handed a fresh blow with new signing Benjamin Sesko set to be out for a month.
Sesko could miss several Premier League matches as a result. It remains to be seen how Amorim will approach his absence in the upcoming matches, with no specific date given for his return.
It should present an opportunity to at least one player on the fringes of the squad to prove themselves to Amorim.
Amorim faces a difficult task keeping every United player happy with just one game most weeks, after failing to qualify for Europe.
That said, it’s a good complaint for a head coach to have because it should increase competition for places in the line-up.
Opinion: How Ruben Amorim could implement Kobbie Mainoo after Benjamin Sesko injury
Mainoo lost his place in the United line-up following Amorim’s arrival last year.
This has led to their relationship becoming a major talking point among United fans and the media.
After learning his opportunities would be limited this season, Mainoo asked for a loan move in the summer, but United did not entertain any offers for the England midfielder.
The 20-year-old has not yet started a game in the Premier League this season, but Amorim admitted that he deserves more game time in an interview conducted before United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
Mainoo didn’t travel to London for that game due to an injury, but Sesko’s injury may provide an opportunity for the United academy graduate to get back into the line-up.
Amorim will be sticking to his 3-4-2-1 system for the foreseeable future, which means he could put Matheus Cunha up front and Bruno Fernandes in one of the number 10 roles. This means Mainoo could start alongside Casemiro in midfield.
Who should start as striker for Man Utd with Benjamin Sesko injured?
Fernandes is the main reason why Mainoo has not been able to get into the team, but patience may prevail as the Portuguese Magnifico is not getting any younger at 31.
Kobbie Mainoo’s stats this season
With eight appearances to his name, Mainoo has managed a total of 228 minutes this season – with 138 of those coming in the Premier League.
The only game Mainoo started in was the embarrassing Carabao Cup defeat against Grimsby Town, and he recorded an assist in that outing.
Mainoo could fix that this weekend when Everton visit Old Trafford, granted he is fully recovered from the knock that ruled him out of action against Tottenham.
The only way Mainoo is going to get into the England squad for the 2026 World Cup is by playing football matches on a regular basis.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
