Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko was forced off the pitch with a knee injury during the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim refused to be drawn into questions surrounding the form of Benjamin Sesko following the 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
After replacing Matheus Cunha in the 58th minute, Sesko had a couple of chances to score. However, the Slovenian was too slow to unleash his efforts and the chances went begging.
The final occasion proved to be the striker's last. After being fed through by Mason Mount, Sesko hesitated and before he knew it Micky van de Ven was bearing down on him, producing a challenge that not only scuppered his shot but also ended his afternoon early.
As Spurs broke down the other end of the pitch, Sesko remained on the ground and after being treated by medical staff, there was no alternative but to replace him. Sadly for Amorim, there were no options left after making all five substitutions.
So, United ended the match with ten men, conceded in injury time only for Matthijs de Ligt to save the day. When speaking to the media in his post-match press conference, Amorim could not be more clear on his focus surrounding Sesko.
"That [his recent form] is not the biggest concern now," he explained. "I'm concerned with an injury, because it is in the knee, and I don't know.
"We need Ben [Sesko] to be a better team. We have to check. He has something in his knee. Let's see."
Heading into the November international break means that Amorim has time to decide on what he will do should Sesko not be fit enough to start against Everton on November 24. MEN Sport believes there are three options to replace the forward and has taken a look at them below.
Strikerless option
Undoubtedly the most likely option Amorim will take is the strikerless system which he deployed against Spurs and at Liverpool previously too. Both systems suit Cunha as the 'false nine' essentially.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers front man has played in the centre-forward role previously at his old club and Amorim has used that versatility at United. On Saturday, there was plenty of hard work from the Brazilian but the end product was not there, which prompted the arrival of Sesko.
Perhaps more interestingly will be the decision Amorim takes in the No.10 roles. We have become accustomed to seeing Bryan Mbeumo on the right, Mount on the left and Amad sticking in the right wing-back position.
However, in north London, United chose to reintroduce Noussair Mazraoui at wing-back, moving Amad further forwards and pushing Mbeumo to the left. This did not mute the power of Mbeumo in the first half, he remained a threat but United were perhaps not as dangerous attacking with the more defensive-minded Mazraoui on the right.
This will be something for Amorim to consider should he adopt those selections again.
Zirkzee recall
Joshua Zirkzee finds himself firmly on the fringes of the first team at present. No wonder then that MEN Sport understands he will request a transfer by January.
The Dutchman's hopes of a call-up to his national team squad for the World Cup are fading by the week and the longer he spends on the bench, the worse it will get. Zirkzee has played just 90 minutes over five appearances this season and has been an unused substitute in all the other games.
However, an injury for Sesko could provide him with the opportunity to get those minutes he craves. Last season, Zirkzee showed he was capable of leading the line for United on his day.
He showed great mental strength to overcome a rocky introduction to the United fans and become a forward who fans were happy to see picked ahead of Rasmus Hojlund. The arrivals of Cunha and Mbeumo have scuppered him but those two have both looked better in the No.10 position.
Zirkzee will feel he has a shot at cementing his place in the squad in Sesko's absence. It all depends if Amorim is willing to trust him or not.
Obi opportunity
Before the match against Spurs, Amorim was clear on his thoughts on giving United's academy stars a chance. "We have that record, we are not going to break that record and Jack [Fletcher] is ready to help us," the Portuguese head coach told TNT Sport when asked about the midfielder's inclusion.
With Kobbie Mainoo out with a knock, United could have ended an 88-year record of always including at least one academy graduate in their matchday squad. That did not happen on Saturday but could Amorim take this a step further?
Chido Obi was called upon last season amidst United's poor striker form. The teenager has been given the chance to play with the academy this campaign which is of course the preferred option at 17.
But, if the desire to play Zirkzee is not there and the strikerless system is not working, Obi could be the man to benefit from an opportunity. Whether he is chosen from the start or not seems unlikely though.