According to The Athletic, Benjamin Sesko's sharp form at the start of his second season at Manchester United is precisely the cutting-edge forward quality the team desperately needs.

In his debut season at Manchester United, Sesko had to wait patiently. Now in his second year, he's wasting no time. It was Sesko who put Manchester United into an early commanding position in their Champions League match against Sabah at home on Thursday – the team's first Champions League game at Old Trafford since December 2023. In the 45th minute, he rounded opposing goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov and calmly slotted the ball into an empty net. Sesko and Manchester United will face much stronger opponents than this Azerbaijani team, but early indications in the 2024-25 season suggest the forward has fully embraced his role as a frontline leader.

Due to a shin issue, this was Sesko's first start since the victory over Liverpool on May 3, but his efficiency has already highlighted his importance. This season, he has scored 2 goals from 5 shots in approximately 120 minutes of playing time. While the sample is limited, it sufficiently demonstrates his crucial role as Manchester United's spearhead. Sesko scored after coming on as a substitute against Everton last Sunday, playing a significant part in the attacking build-up before shaking off his marker to head home, providing the focal point the team had been lacking. In his commanding performance against Sabah, he combined precise timing in his runs with explosive speed, breaking through the defense to receive a pass from Mbeumo. These were classic center-forward goals.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said after the Sabah match: "Sesko certainly offers a different type of threat. I think that's the beauty of it: we know what Ben gives the team. In terms of his physicality, operating on the last line, his speed in behind, there aren't many who can offer those qualities. He's a real threat."

Although Sesko can drop deep to link up play – as he did against Everton and in the build-up to Matheus Cunha's first Manchester United goal last night – his biggest benefit is stretching opposing defenses. He plays at the forefront of the attack, always ready to receive direct passes, occupying center-backs in a way others cannot, creating more space for his teammates. This central presence is precisely what Manchester United needs. Without Sesko, Carrick's squad still has goal threats: last season, Mbeumo and Cunha scored 11 and 10 Premier League goals respectively. But in the early stages of this season, Manchester United has lacked a focal point.

In addition to Sesko not being fully match fit, Amad was also out with an ankle injury. This forced Mbeumo to play on the right wing instead of centrally, where he was the preferred backup striker when Sesko was injured last season. Cunha was used as a false nine, but he couldn't stretch the opposing defense like Sesko. There was plenty of rotation, hopeful attacking combinations, fluidity, and creativity on display, but a lack of the final decisive touch. This is what Sesko can bring, and it will be crucial when Manchester United return to Old Trafford to face Manchester City on Sunday.

Manchester City's new manager, Enzo Maresca, boasts a formidable attack, while Manchester United's defense appears vulnerable, having conceded six goals in three league games. From the performances in the opening weeks of the season, if Manchester United can keep a clean sheet against Manchester City, neither team will seem like themselves, which further highlights the importance of offensive efficiency at the other end. Manchester City have started strongly but are still adapting to the tactical ideas of the new coaching staff, including defensive shape adjustments and build-up play from the back. Manchester United need Sesko to be the dominant figure leading the press, bursting into any exploitable spaces, and causing doubts in the opposition defense. Therefore, seeing him in sharp form is a relief.

This time last year, with his transfer from Leipzig in progress, Sesko did not participate in pre-season training and took some time to find his feet. He scored his first goal for Manchester United in a 1-3 loss to Brentford in late September, a consolation goal in his seventh appearance. After scoring again six weeks later, he was sidelined for another month with a knee injury. By spring, he had become crucial: he scored 9 league goals after Christmas, including an injury-time equalizer away at West Ham United, and winning goals against Fulham, Everton, Crystal Palace, and Brentford.

Concerns about Sesko needing time to regain match fitness after missing pre-season again due to injury are understandable – but the signs so far are encouraging. Again, he will face much stronger opponents than Sabah, but in his longest playing time since last May (he was substituted in the 64th minute), he played confidently rather than cautiously. As his goal shows, he does not shy away from contesting possession or physical challenges. Carrick told reporters: "It's great for him to be back at this level after all the hard work he's put in to get back to fitness. A couple of goals, a good performance, enough playing time... We're very happy with his progress."

Speaking to TNT Sports, the UK broadcaster for the match, after the game, Sesko called the Champions League victory "great for us overall, giving us more momentum for the next games. I think the confidence boost is absolutely massive. Now it's especially important to recover well and focus on the derby." Last summer, Sesko was the final piece of Manchester United's attacking rebuild. For Sunday's match, Carrick hopes he will be the final piece to get the new attacking combination fully firing.

AF's PC site is now live! Browse full news, comments, match details and stats on your computer. Visit: www.allfootballapp.com