Benjamin Sesko: Manchester United's Next Golden Boot Winner

Vladimir Smicer has thrown down a challenge to both Benjamin Sesko and Michael Carrick – play him, trust him, and Manchester United could have a Golden Boot winner on their hands.

The former Liverpool midfielder believes United are sitting on a centre-forward ready to explode, yet still watching too many games from the bench.

United’s only true No.9 left waiting

Sesko is, on paper, the clearest striker in the squad. The 23-year-old Slovenia international is the only recognised senior number nine at Old Trafford right now, a £73.7 million signing from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2025, built for the role and signed for it.

Yet he has not started a single Premier League game this season.

Carrick has instead pushed Matheus Cunha into the central role, with Joshua Zirkzee also an option through the middle. Both can operate as a centre-forward, but neither is a natural penalty-box striker in the way Sesko is.

Sesko’s minutes have largely come in other competitions. He has started in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup and has two goals in six appearances in all competitions so far this campaign. Flashes, not a run. Cameos, not a platform.

For Smicer, that has to change.

“He can win the Golden Boot”

Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, Smicer made his belief in Sesko crystal clear.

“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,” he said, pointing to the towering forward’s blend of power and pace.

Smicer highlighted Sesko’s header against Everton after coming off the bench as evidence of his threat, but couldn’t ignore the pattern that followed.

“He scored a nice goal with that header against Everton after coming on as a sub but he was on the bench again the Manchester derby,” he noted, a frustration wrapped inside a compliment.

The message was blunt: United have a striker who can dominate, but only if Carrick gives him the stage.

A demand for hunger – and a statement to Carrick

Smicer did not spare Sesko from responsibility either. The onus, he insisted, is just as much on the player to force the issue.

“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.”

This is where Smicer sharpened the edge of his argument. When Sesko plays, he said, there can be no doubt left in Carrick’s mind.

“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.

“I probably haven’t seen that from him yet but he needs to play.

“He can’t give his manager a choice.

“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.”

It is a challenge as much as an endorsement. Smicer sees a Golden Boot in Sesko’s boots. The question now is whether Carrick hands him the shirt – and whether Sesko is ready to make sure he never gives it back.