Manchester United are sweating on the fitness of Benjamin Sesko after the striker suffered a knee injury in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham, with Ivan Toney a potential replacement
Manchester United may be forced to delve into the January transfer market for a new striker after Benjamin Sesko was sidelined with a knee injury during Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham.
Sesko, who came on as a substitute in the 58th minute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, could only manage half an hour before he had to be helped off the pitch following treatment for a knee issue. The Red Devils were left a man short for the remainder of the match as manager Ruben Amorim had already made all his substitutions.
On Monday, United confirmed that Sesko would not be joining up with his national team for Slovenia’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Kosovo and Sweden. Instead, the 23-year-old will stay put at Carrington for further assessment this week.
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Although insiders suggest the injury isn’t considered too serious, there are whispers that United might consider bringing in another centre forward when the January transfer window swings open.
Should United decide to bolster their attacking options, one name that could be in the frame is Ivan Toney. The England international has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for some time, and this could be the ideal opportunity for him to make the switch.
Toney, now 29, has been plying his trade in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli for the past 15 months, having signed for them in August 2024. During his stint in the Middle East, he’s netted an impressive 41 goals and provided eight assists in 59 appearances.
With Toney having scored 11 goals in just 15 matches this season, it seems he has some unfinished business in the Premier League. He previously dazzled for three years at Brentford, where he netted 36 goals in 83 top-tier games between 2021 and 2024.
The former Northampton and Peterborough player was a key figure in a Brentford attack that also included United’s Bryan Mbeumo.
Mbeumo and Toney were teammates in west London for four years, helping to establish the Bees as a Premier League club. They formed a formidable partnership on the pitch, with Toney and Mbeumo scoring or assisting each other 16 times during that period.
Although Mbeumo is set to miss part of January due to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), he could reignite his special relationship with Toney at United upon his return. Even if Sesko’s absence isn’t long-term, Toney would provide United with another attacking option and potentially pave the way for Joshua Zirkzee to leave the club after struggling for game time.
A front three of Mbeumo on the right, Toney in the centre and Matheus Cunha on the left could prove devastating for United and Amorim in the second half of the season.
Toney, who is valued at around £40million and has two-and-a-half years remaining on his Al-Ahli contract, will turn 30 in March. This could prompt United to try and negotiate a lower price and persuade him to make the move.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
