Paul Merson thinks that Manchester United are better off when their £74million star isn’t in the team, suggesting the player is too predictable.
United host Everton at Old Trafford on Monday night as they look to extend their unbeaten run to six games and climb into the Premier League topfour.
Almost all of Ruben Amorim’s summer signings have hit the ground running, with Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Senne Lammens vital to the recent turnaround in form.
Benjamin Sesko has been the exception to the rule however, with striker scoring just two goals in 12 appearances since his big money move from RB Leipzig.
Moreover, Amorim does not appear to fully trust the 22-year-old yet, benching him for the big clashes at Liverpool and Tottenham, with the team arguably performing better in his absence.
Sesko will miss Monday’s match after picking up a knee injury during the 2-2 draw at Spurs two weeks ago, with Amorim set to be without a senior, natural No.9 for the next few weeks.
But Arsenal legend Merson thinks this could actually benefit United, telling Sportskeeda: ‘Benjamin Sesko being ruled out does not help Everton because they would rather play against him.
‘If Sesko played, Everton know what they are up against and how to mark him. When it’s Matheus Cunha playing that false-nine role, it’s entirely different.
‘One second you’re looking at Cunha and the next thing you know it’s Bryan Mbeumo also working in tandem with him. With Sesko, United can only play one way and that would have been easier to deal with.’
Cunha is expected to once again fill in at centre-forward with either Amad Diallo or Mason Mount to take the Brazilian’s place in attacking midfield.
Alternatively, Amorim does have teenage striker Chido Obi Martin at his disposal, though he is yet to play in the first-team this season, as well as forward Joshua Zirkzee who has played just 82 minutes in the Premier League.
More Trending
In any case, Merson believes the Red Devils will extend their good run, tipping them to beat the Toffees 2-0: ‘Manchester United are slowly starting to find some rhythm.
‘I say that carefully because we wouldn’t have said this about them last season or the one before that. United have been quite bad in terms of stitching together a run of results, but there is a bit of hope now.
‘I said Manchester United won’t beat [Nottingham] Forest even though they were flying at the time. That draw was disappointing but I expect them to make amends with a win this weekend.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Arrow MORE: Ezri Konsa and Matty Cash injury updates ahead of Leeds United vs Aston Villa
Arrow MORE: Mikel Arteta gives Viktor Gyokeres injury update ahead of Arsenal vs Tottenham
Arrow MORE: Crystal Palace give Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marc Guehi injury update