Manchester United's starting striker for the Premier League opener has been decided! Sesko is likely to be a substitute, aiming to make a comeback against Milan.

Manchester United's starting lineup for the Premier League opener against Hull City on August 22 has many positions already locked in: goalkeeper Sena Ramens, left-back Luke Shaw, center-back Maguire, defensive midfielder Andre Santos, captain Bruno Fernandes, and forward Mbemba. The Cameroonian winger Mbemba will take on the number 9 role against the newly promoted side, similar to the last two warm-up games. In the center-forward position, Mbemba has been named man of the match in both consecutive games.

The 26-year-old Mbemba was recently asked whether he prefers playing as a right winger or a center-forward. He replied: "I'm fortunate to be able to handle both positions, so it's hard to choose. I've performed well both on the right wing and as a striker. I feel I have more experience on the wing, so maybe I lean slightly towards that. But I also enjoy playing as a forward."

In the second half of last season, Mbemba went through a goal drought, failing to score or assist in nine consecutive matches. However, he ended the slump by scoring in the final two games of the season. After failing to find the net in the first two preseason matches, he scored three goals in two games when deployed as a center-forward, proving his worth.

Samuel Luckhurst, Manchester United correspondent for *The Sun*, commented: "As a center-forward, Mbemba scored another goal. Besides his excellent finishing, he also tested goalkeeper Matvey Safonov with several free kicks and headers. He has a good chance of starting as United's center-forward at the beginning of the season."

In many matches last season, Carrick chose to deploy the £71 million right-winger as a center-forward, which even became his preferred attacking setup upon taking over. In many games, Sesko was only used as a "super sub."

Due to a tibia injury sustained during last season's double-header against Liverpool, Sesko has not yet participated in team training or played in any friendlies this summer. Therefore, the €85 million center-forward is unlikely to start in the Premier League opener.

In matches against Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, Mbemba scored consecutively, netting three goals, making it even more likely that he will start as the center-forward in the Premier League opener. Zirkzee was a substitute in both games and could even leave in the summer window; his chances of being a regular starter for United are zero.

As for Sesko, his primary goal is to return to normal training first. Since returning to the squad in mid-July, the Slovenian striker has only been training individually. According to the *Manchester Evening News*, Sesko will join the training camp in Dublin, Ireland, next week, and hopes to play some minutes in the final preseason match against AC Milan on August 15, in order to secure a spot on the bench for the Hull City game. Starting is completely out of the question.

Several of United's key players from last season may not be in full match fitness by the start of the season, such as Kobbie Mainoo, who returns next week, Lisandro Martinez, and Cunha, who has returned this week but missed training and matches due to injury. They are all racing against time to secure a place in Carrick's first starting lineup.

Predicted United starting lineup against Hull City: Ramens / Diogo Dalot (Mazraoui), Maguire, Eden Heven, Luke Shaw / Tielemans (Mason Mount), Santos / Amad, B. Fernandes, Patrick Dorgu (Cunha) / Mbemba.