Vladimir Smicer Urges Trust in Benjamin Sesko as Manchester United's Main Striker

Vladimir Smicer has called on Michael Carrick to put his trust in Benjamin Sesko and make him Manchester United’s main striker, insisting the Slovenian has the talent to win the Golden Boot at Old Trafford.

Sesko is currently the only recognised senior number nine in United’s squad, yet he is still waiting for his first Premier League start of the season. Carrick has preferred to use Matheus Cunha through the middle, while Joshua Zirkzee has also been used in the role despite neither being a natural centre-forward.

Sesko’s situation jars with his status. United paid £73.7 million to prise the 23-year-old from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2025, banking on his size, speed and penalty-box instincts to lead the line for years to come. So far this campaign, he has two goals in six appearances across all competitions, with his minutes coming in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup rather than the league.

For Smicer, that needs to change.

Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, the former Liverpool midfielder pointed to Sesko’s impact off the bench, highlighting his headed goal against Everton as proof of what he can offer if trusted from the start. Yet the striker found himself back among the substitutes for the Manchester derby, a decision that underlined his current status on the fringes.

Smicer believes Sesko has both the tools and the ceiling to become United’s prolific focal point, but only if he marries his ability with a ruthless mindset and a sustained run in the side.

“Benjamin Sesko can win the Golden Boot at Manchester United if they trust him to start games because of his size and he’s also very fast,” Smicer said, before stressing that the forward now faces another test of patience after last season. The message was clear: the opportunity will come, but Sesko must be ready to grab it and refuse to let go.

Smicer challenged the striker to show a sharper edge, not just in front of goal but in every aspect of his game – pressing, movement, work-rate, presence. When Carrick turns to him, Smicer wants Sesko to play in a way that leaves no debate over who should lead the line.

“He can’t give his manager a choice,” Smicer argued, urging Sesko to become the player whose performances effectively tell Carrick: you do not put me on the bench again.

For now, United’s only orthodox number nine is still waiting for that Premier League start. If Smicer is right, the real question is how long Carrick can keep a £73.7m striker, with Golden Boot potential, out of his first XI.