Excitement builds as Manchester United gears up for a showdown against rivals Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday. Sources close to the team hint that manager Ruben Amorim is set to implement a significant change to his starting lineup, especially after a tough start to the season for both sides.

United hasn't hit the ground running this season, while City too is struggling, having faced consecutive defeats against Tottenham and Brighton just before the international break. The stakes are high: a loss could deepen the crisis for either team, but a win could provide a much-needed boost to morale.

This season, United's attack has shown more spark with the trio of Bryan Mbeumo, Mason Mount, and Matheus Cunha leading the charge upfront. However, a notable absence from this lineup has been new striker Benjamin Sesko, who joined from RB Leipzig for a hefty £73.7 million including add-ons.

Though Sesko featured in the disappointing League Cup clash against Grimsby Town, he’s yet to make his Premier League debut. The reasons for his limited playtime remain unclear, but the recent international break might have been fortuitous, allowing him to regain match fitness after playing 90 minutes in Slovenia’s World Cup qualifiers.

With both Mount and Cunha uncertain due to injuries, reports from The Athletic suggest that Sesko might finally get his chance to shine against City’s vulnerable defense.

Laurie Whitwell, a respected voice in football commentary, raises eyebrows at Sesko’s lack of starting time in the Premier League, questioning whether Amorim is being cautious or showing loyalty to Mount, who has started strong this season.

However, with injuries sidlining key players, Whitwell insists that it would be odd for Sesko not to start against a rival like City. He firmly believes that if both Mount and Cunha are unavailable, Amorim has no choice but to unleash Sesko.

Whitwell further elaborated that even if Mount and Cunha were fit, starting a high-profile striker like Sesko in such a crucial match would be a no-brainer. 'Given his hefty price tag and the fact that bringing him in significantly changed the squad dynamics, not to play him would raise serious questions,' he commented.

As anticipation grows for the derby, eyes will be on Amorim’s decision-making and whether Sesko can indeed make his mark when it matters most.