Vladimir Smicer Challenges Manchester United to Trust Benjamin Sesko

Vladimir Smicer has thrown down a challenge to both Benjamin Sesko and Michael Carrick – unleash the striker, or risk wasting United’s only natural No 9.

Sesko is the sole recognised senior centre-forward in the Manchester United squad, yet he is still waiting for his first Premier League start of the season. Carrick has preferred Matheus Cunha through the middle, with Joshua Zirkzee also an option, but neither is an out-and-out striker.

Sesko has been pushed to the margins in the league, but not entirely out of the picture. The 23-year-old Slovenia international has started in both the Champions League and the Carabao Cup, slowly feeling his way into life at Old Trafford after his big-money move from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2025. United paid £73.7 million for him; so far, he has returned two goals in six appearances in all competitions.

For Smicer, that investment – and Sesko’s profile – demands more trust.

“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,” the former Liverpool midfielder told Grosvenor Sport.

He pointed to Sesko’s “nice goal” with a header against Everton after coming off the bench as proof of what he can offer, but noted that he was back among the substitutes for the Manchester derby.

The message from Smicer is clear: patience can’t turn into stagnation.

“He has to be patient again after last season and wait for his chance, because he will get that chance, and when he does he needs to show that he deserves to keep his place,” Smicer said. “He needs to be more hungry for that opportunity, not just the goals, I think.”

Smicer wants to see a different kind of authority from Sesko when he does get on the pitch. Not just flashes, but a statement.

“When he’s on the pitch, when he gets his chance from Michael Carrick, he must show him that from now on it’s only me who starts up front for the goals, for the pressing, for everything,” he insisted. “I probably haven’t seen that from him yet but he needs to play.”

The onus, in Smicer’s eyes, sits on both sides. Carrick has to back his striker. Sesko has to make that decision impossible to reverse.

“He can’t give his manager a choice,” Smicer added. “Sesko needs to be the player whose performances tell Carrick you do not put on the bench again. I’m here. I need to play every game.”

United’s season may yet hinge on whether their only true No 9 is allowed – and able – to prove exactly that.