Benjamin Sesko faces a late fitness test to determine his availability for Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.
Manchester United will aim to confirm a third-placed finish in the Premier League when they lock horns with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon. Michael Carrick has a new injury concern to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
The English tactician has been sweating over Benjamin Sesko’s fitness, as the youngster has not trained since sustaining a knock in the Premier League match against Liverpool last weekend. The Slovenian international faces a late fitness test to determine his availability.
However, there is some good news, as Lisandro Martinez has served his three-match suspension and will be available to take on Sunderland this weekend. So, Matthijs de Ligt (lower back) is the only player on the sidelines. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Carrick provided a fitness update on Sesko. He also placed his faith in Amad Diallo despite his error last weekend.
The Manchester United head coach said, “At the moment, he hasn’t been fully back with the group, but we’ll have to see. Amad’s fine. He’s absolutely fine. There’s no problem. He was smiling at full-time. Mistakes are part of football. I’ve made them. I’ve made plenty as a player, I understand, and sometimes you make them and it leads to a goal.”
“Sometimes, you make them and you get away with it and no one really talks about it. He’s done so many good things since I came back and the impact that he’s had on the team and his performances and what he gives the team, with the ball, without the ball, his energy, his attitude towards it. And he’s been great over the last few days and he was great after the game and so he should be.”
Senne Lammens is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Sunderland on Saturday. The backline will feature Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven, and Luke Shaw. So, Martinez will miss out on a starting berth due to Heaven’s impressive form.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo in the double pivot, with Bruno Fernandes reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Benjamin Sesko will lead the line for the away side against Sunderland, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo being the two wide attackers. However, Amad Diallo will replace Sesko if the Slovenian striker is not fit to start. In that case, Mbeumo will start as the central striker.
Predicted Manchester United XI: Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
