Benjamin Sesko has left his Manchester United teammates astonished by his body transformation as he prepares for his sophomore season at Old Trafford.
The Slovenian striker joined United from RB Leipzig last summer for £74 million, and a promising campaign enthused fans. He found the back of the net 11 times in 30 Premier League games.
A 3-2 win over Liverpool proved to be his final game of the season after a collision with Ibrahima Konate. He was sent tumbling into the advertising boards and missed the Red Devils’ three final matches.
Sesko Transformation Wows Man Utd Teammates
The incident with Konate worsened a pre-existing shin injury, which prevented him from appearing in a 1-0 loss to Wrexham in pre-season. But he has been working hard behind-the-scenes, particularly in the gym where he has bulked up to ensure he can battle it out with the top-flight’s toughest defenders.
United fans were stunned when Sesko posted a snap of himself in training showing just how much stronger he looks. While he already had a tall frame, he looks transformed as he works to return to full fitness.
Sesko captioned his Instagram post with a message to fans: “Getting there.”
Sesko’s body transformation hasn’t only impressed fans, but his teammates are also wowed. Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot were among those to respond in the comments section of the Instagram post.
Fernandes wrote: “Brateeee” and included a bicep emoticon while Dalot even mentioned American bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger and wrote: “@schwarzenegger you’re his inspiration (bicep and love emoticons) my brate is stronnnng.”
Brate is a Serbian phrase that translates to ‘brother’ or ‘bro’ and Sesko is clearly a popular figure in the United dressing room. That said, his defensive teammates might not be too happy to come up against him in training as Michael Carrick prepares for the new season with a striker clearly physically and mentally ready to go to war.
Sesko won’t be involved in the Red Devils’ friendly against Norweigan outfit Rosenborg in Norway today (July 24th). He’s remained at Carrington to continue working on building his fitness.
You scored
out of 20
‘I’m Always Active’ – Sesko’s Diet and Routine
Sesko has followed a healthy protein diet during his career and an article on former club Leipzig’s website (via The Sun) detailed his usual daily menu. His breakfast includes four fried eggs, yoghurt with berries, muesli and freshly-squeezed fruit juice.
On the menu for lunch is chicken, rice and mixed vegetables, including carrots and broccoli, with two slices of bread, followed by a fruit salad featuring mango, watermelon and pineapple. He then refuels with a protein shake and a couple of energy balls and a muesli ball.
Sesko often prefers salmon with mashed potatoes and a tomato and cucumber salad for dinner. He has more museli to finish the day but with the inclusion of some quark cheese, cashew nuts, kiwi fruit and blueberries.
The Red Devils frontman touched on his usual routine when speaking to United’s club media last season:
“It’s always kind of my routine to always keep it up, especially when I have a day off, as I try to enjoy it as much as possible. So I’ll get my coffee, and then I’m big on doing visualisations and meditations. I’ve been doing this for a couple of years – it just became my daily routine.”
He added: “Then I’ll probably go for some treatment and gym work, if possible. I like to enjoy my day off. I like to play basketball and try to find ways to play a little bit, and get active. I’m the kind of guy who doesn’t like to stay in one place for too long, so I’m always active.”
Sesko sat out the World Cup due to Slovenia’s failure to qualify for the tournament, and his focus has been on ensuring he’s ready for the 2026-27 campaign. He could be joined by a new strike partner amid speculation growing over United replacing Juventus-linked Joshua Zirkzee.
Arsenal are looking at ways to bolster their squad for the coming season, and they are ready to look at the Premier League to do it.
The Gunners have signed Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis so far this summer, while Leandro Trossard has departed for Besiktas as Mikel Arteta looks to freshen things up in an attempt to make history by winning back-to-back league titles for the first time in the club’s history.
A number of first-team players are expected to be allowed to leave the Emirates Stadium as a result, and Arteta has identified one star as a potential reinforcement in attack who could come in as a replacement.
Arsenal Eyeing Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins Calls Arne Slot’s Liverpool ‘Disjointed’ After Aston Villa Win
According to a report by The Sun, Arsenal are considering renewing their interest in Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins this summer.
Watkins, who has been described as ‘elite’, is Villa’s top goalscorer in Premier League history, and was linked with a big-money move to north London in January 2025, but a move never materialised.
But with Gabriel Jesus expected to depart before the new season starts, Arsenal are monitoring the England international’s situation at Villa Park with a view to making a formal move for him later in the window.
Fenerbahce were considering a £30m offer for the 30-year-old, but Villa made it clear they would not accept at that price, and a move went no further. However, it’s understood that they could be more receptive to an offer worth around £40m, which has sparked interest from Arsenal.
Arteta has put Watkins near the top of their shortlist for forward signings, and Villa’s financial situation has led to confidence that they could be able to get a deal done if they push hard. However, as things stand, Villa are determined to keep him, having already lost Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Lucas Digne.
Watkins, much like Konsa, is playing at the top of his game right now, and it could be the last chance for them to make the step up to a title-challenger, which would bring plenty of appeal to the players. But it’s also worth nothing that both players would be great signings for Arsenal, bringing traits and quality they don’t already have.
Villa will fight hard to keep him, and Arsenal have other targets they are prioritising for the position, but Watkins’ situation is one to keep a close eye on as the window begins to fire up.
A USMNT star was heavily booed by MLS fans during his first game back after the World Cup this week. Of course, at one point, it looked as though football fever had completely taken over the country, with the Stars and Stripes expectant of a deep run at this summer’s tournament.
Back-to-back wins over Paraguay and Australia – 4-1 and 2-0 respectively – to kickstart their campaign under Mauricio Pochettino saw USA make history as they achieved that feat for just the first time since 1930. However, just as quickly as they thought they were going to make it all the way, their world came crashing back down onto them.
A 3-2 loss to Turkiye already showed signs that USMNT weren’t as imperious as they seemed earlier into the tournament, and a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16 proved the final nail in the coffin.
In the aftermath of that exit, much of the blame fell on Christian Pulisic. However, when MLS action resumed this week, it was a different USMNT star who found himself in the firing line, as Columbus Crew supporters relentlessly booed him during their clash with New York City.
USMNT Star Relentlessly Booed Upon his Return to the MLS
USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese returned to action with New York City on Wednesday night, but it appears America isn’t ready to forgive him for his mistakes in the defeat to Belgium. Every time he touched the ball in Ohio, a chorus of boos rained down from the crowds.
Freese’s woes in midweek started from his first touch in the third minute of the match against Columbus. Some supporters appeared to be chanting “Shame!” at him, and others were giving him thumbs down, according to the Sun USA.
The 27-year-old didn’t appear bothered by the boos, as he put on a good performance, making three saves to win the game 2-1. And afterwards, his manager defended him from the brutal crowd reaction.
NYCFC Boss Defends Freese Amid Brutal Crowd Reaction
Brace Hemmelgarn | Imagn Images
NYCFC manager Pascal Jansen said Freese’s effort “speaks for itself,” after having technically been able to take more time off due to a FIFA rule, had he needed it. The boss continued (watch below):
“He’s not worried about these things. He has to go through it. Everybody is apparently still very disappointed either with the performance from the national team as one, and maybe in particular Matty’s performance, given the last game that he played, and what happened in that game.
“But that is something that Matty has to deal with, and he’ll get through that with the support of everybody around him, but especially the locker room. We’re not worried one bit.”
New York City currently sits sixth in the MLS Eastern Conference, 12 points adrift of the top two, Inter Miami and Nashville SC. Their next match sees them take on Chicago at home.
Celtic have agreed a club-record deal to sign Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh, according to the Daily Record.
The Glasgow giants have been desperate to bolster their squad in the transfer window after winning a fifth consecutive Scottish Premiership title, with Martin O’Neill installed on a permanent contract with the task of rebuilding the side following a disappointing campaign.
And the club have now reached an agreement for their top target, months after failing to agree a deal for him in the January transfer window.
Celtic Agree Club-Record Kasper Hogh Deal
via Reuters
Hogh, who has been described as ‘exceptional’, was identified as Celtic’s top forward target for the transfer window, and a deal worth £11m plus add-ons has now been agreed.
The Danish forward will undergo a medical in the coming days, and barring any last-minute hitches in the deal, he is expected to put pen to paper on a long-term deal at Celtic Park with the Scottish champions.
The deal will eclipse the £11m Celtic splashed to sign Arne Engels two summers ago, breaking the club record and making the 25-year-old their most expensive signing ever.
The 6ft 1 striker was on the verge of a move in January before opting to stay put as Bodo/Glimt put together an impressive run in the Champions League knockout stages. He scored six goals in the tournament, including goals against Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Manchester City.
The deal was agreed at the same time Celtic confirmed the departure of Daizen Maeda to Ipswich Town in a £10m deal, which has clearly helped to fund the club’s second signing of the summer.
