{
  "id": 7080910,
  "title": "'Way better than last season': Manchester United's Benjamin Sesko feeling confident ahead of derby",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/way-better-than-last-season-manchester-uniteds-benjamin-sesko-feeling",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-13T07:17:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/09/13/manchester-uniteds-benjamin-sesko-feeling-confident-ahead-of-derby-i-am-way-better-than-last-season/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Benjamin Sesko, a Slovenian international, is feeling confident ahead of Manchester United's upcoming Manchester derby. His first start for the club came in a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City almost a year ago. Despite scoring only two goals by the turn of 2026, Sesko's performance improved under the guidance of Michael Carrick. He netted in eight of the 14 games he featured in, finishing as the club's joint top scorer. However, a shin injury sustained against Liverpool in May forced him to miss the end of the season and the preseason. Sesko, 23, has come off the bench in United's first three Premier League games, scoring his first goal at Everton last Sunday in the 88th minute. He also started for the first time against Sabah as United returned to the Champions League after a three-year absence. With Carrick's guidance, Sesko has added muscle and improved his physique. He described his current state as \"way better, especially than last season,\" attributing his happiness to the support of teammates and the environment in Manchester. While not targeting a specific number of goals for this derby, Sesko aims to score as many as possible, emphasizing the importance of providing for the club.",
  "summary": "Benjamin Sesko’s first start for Manchester United came in a 3-0 derby defeat at the Etihad Stadium almost a year ago today. That game, on September 14, 2025, was a tough one for the Slovenian international, who had joined late in the transfer window from RB Leipzig. He had scored only two goals by the turn of 2026, yet his fortunes began to improve, and especially under Michael Carrick . Sesko…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Manchester derby insights: SN's United and City staff go head-to-head on Haaland vs. Fernandes and more",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/manchester-derby-insights-sns-united-and-city-staff-go-head-to-head",
        "published": "2026-09-12T09:43:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Lisandro Martinez on scoring first Man United goal, 'amazing' Leny Yoro and facing City in derby",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/lisandro-martinez-on-scoring-first-man-united-goal-amazing-leny-yoro",
        "published": "2026-09-12T10:55:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Manchester United vs Man City: Premier League – predictions, teams, lineups",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/manchester-united-vs-man-city-premier-league-predictions-teams-lineups",
        "published": "2026-09-12T12:12:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}