The real reason why Benjamin Sesko became Manchester United’s tenth penalty taker in their historic defeat to League Two Grimsby Town on Wednesday night has now been revealed. The Red Devils had never lost against fourth-tier opposition before, but after rallying from a 2-0 halftime deficit to force a penalty shootout, Bryan Mbeumo’s miss exacerbated their disappointing start to the new season.
Mbeumo was not the only new addition who struggled. Matheus Cunha has also failed to score, despite numerous opportunities in Amorim’s three winless games in all competitions. Meanwhile, Sesko, who burned a £73.7 million hole in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s wallet as part of the Red Devils’ £300 million summer shopping binge on attack, was hesitant to take the penalty. Watch the penalty shootout highlights below:
Many critics pointed out that Amorim’s new first-choice striker was the final outfield player to take a penalty. However, a reason has surfaced as to why, despite scoring 27 Bundesliga goals in the previous two seasons, he was scared to be the hero at a rain-soaked Blundell Park.
Why did Benjamin Sesko take the tenth penalty against Grimsby Town?
Sesko was so far down the penalty-takers’ list, hoping the shootout wouldn’t stretch into the marathon it eventually became, since the Slovenian international was suffering from cramp on a rain-soaked ground, according to the BBC. He hadn’t played a full ninety minutes since April 19.
Sesko has come off the bench in the Red Devils’ first two Premier League games this season, as they have failed to score from open play, losing 1-0 to Arsenal at Old Trafford on the opening weekend before drawing 1-1 with Fulham the following week, with Rodrigo Muniz’s own goal giving them the lead.
As the 22-year-old works to recover full fitness, United supporters will be hoping to see a prolific goalscorer emerge as soon as possible. In recent seasons, Anthony Martial and Rasmus Hojlund have attempted – and failed – to shoulder the weight of being the club’s primary supplier of goals, with the latter scoring only four league goals in the 2024/25 season.
xz
