Benjamin Sesko Officially Unveiled as Manchester United Star
As Manchester United was held to a 1-1 draw by Fiorentina in the last game of their preseason schedule, Benjamin Sesko watched from the stands at Old Trafford as they won a penalty shootout 5-4.
Sesko sealed his €85 million ($98.8 million) transfer from RB Leipzig on Saturday morning by agreeing to a five-year contract with United.
Alongside fellow summer additions Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Diego León, he was introduced to the crowd on the field prior to kickoff. He then watched from the directors’ box as United rallied from behind to tie 1-1 before substitute Kobbie Mainoo scored the game-winning kick in the penalty shootout.
In the eighth minute, Simon Sohm headed in a corner from Albert Gudmundsson to give Fiorentina the lead, with David De Gea in goal.
Patrick Dorgu and Leny Yoro were both caught under the ball, and Sohm had plenty of room at the back post to volley past Altay Bayindir. He was picked again in goal, although André Onana is still out due to a hamstring injury.
Robin Gosens’ own goal gave United the lead halfway through the first half. When Yoro and Casemiro applied pressure, the Fiorentina defender unintentionally sent the ball past De Gea.
Gosens called for a free kick, but referee Sam Barrott waved the complaints aside.
A few minutes later, Yoro met Mbeumo’s cross from the right, but De Gea parried the Frenchman’s close-range header to keep United from taking the lead.
The Old Trafford crowd gave the Spaniard a standing ovation as he was brought on late in the game, marking his first return to the team since leaving in 2023.
Tommaso Martinelli, who took his place in goal, was unable to reach any of United‘s first four penalty attempts during the shootout.
Additionally, Mainoo scored in front of the Stretford End to complete United’s victory after Bayindir stopped Fabiano Parisi’s fifth attempt for Fiorentina.
