Manchester United
How Benjamin Šeško’s long road led to Manchester United
Šeško’s move to United followed years of careful steps, patience, and sacrifice.
Benjamin Šeško’s move to Manchester United did not happen quickly. It was the end result of a relationship that began in his teenage years, long before he had even made a senior appearance in Slovenian soccer.
His path took shape in stages. In 2019, Šeško joined RB Salzburg, then spent two years at FC Liefering, the Red Bull club’s sister side, where he continued his development before becoming established with the league champions. Manchester United showed interest again during that spell in Austria, but the striker preferred to take another step first rather than leap straight into English football.
Explaining that decision to The Athletic a year after arriving at Old Trafford in 2025, Šeško said: “It was just the moment that we decided, because I think it was important,” Šeško told The Athletic a year on from belatedly leaving RB Leipzig to arrive at Old Trafford in 2025. “It would be a little bit too huge of a step for me to jump from Austria, from Slovenia directly to Manchester United, so I just needed those steps to get better.”
That caution fits the scale of the challenge. Slovenia’s top division ranks 58th in the world in Opta’s statistical comparison of international leagues, so Šeško’s steady climb made more sense than an immediate move to Manchester United.
The Austrian Bundesliga gave him a manageable next step, while a later switch to Germany raised the level of opposition without demanding a complete change in style. Even so, his first months at United were not straightforward. He scored only two goals before the turn of the year, but has since found form under Michael Carrick.
When the transfer finally became possible, Šeško was prepared to make concessions to get it done. With Arsenal and Newcastle United also interested, his agent Elvis Bašanović said the player’s focus never shifted.
“Every time a deal doesn’t go through, there are many different factors involved,” Bašanović mused last year . “I think it was also important that Benjamin’s desire has always been Manchester United. Because of that, he was willing to accept a slightly lower salary and I also accepted a lower commission. Simply put, it was the player’s dream. We are overjoyed.”
Aston Villa
Villa signal long-term Emery backing amid United speculation
Villa reinforce Emery’s future as reports link the manager with Manchester United again this week.
Aston Villa have moved to underline Unai Emery’s future at the club at a time when links with Manchester United continue to circulate.
Emery has been central to Villa’s rise, guiding them into the Champions League and delivering their first major trophy in 30 years last season with the Europa League. That track record makes him a natural fit for a club of Manchester United’s stature, especially given his history of success at Sevilla and Villarreal, as well as his experience at Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.
However, Villa’s position around their manager is clearly a sensitive one. The club recently threatened legal action against pundit Jamie Carragher over remarks made on the Stick to Football podcast last month. In his comments on Emery and Manchester United, Carragher suggested the Spaniard might want the chance to “manage a giant again,” while also saying, “There is a chain in football, whether you like it or not. Shut the f— up, Aston Villa fans. Aston Villa will never be Manchester United.”
After a public apology in which Carragher described his wording as “clumsy and wrong,” the matter was dropped.
Reports earlier this week stated Emery is “happy” at Aston Villa, has no release clause in his contract, and is not expected to leave. Villa have now added further weight to that view by publicising a meeting focused on “the club’s long-term strategic direction.”
One outcome from that meeting was “establishing a clear commitment beyond 2029” under Emery’s leadership. While the club stopped short of announcing a new deal, his current contract expires in 2029, and the wording strongly suggests a longer partnership is being prepared. The Athletic report that such an agreement is close.
Villa said: “The meeting brought together Nassef Sawiris, the club’s Chairman, and Unai Emery alongside President of Football Operations Roberto Olabe and Director of Football Operations Damián Vidagany.”
Manchester United
Baleba setback leaves United waiting on hamstring issue
Baleba’s hamstring injury could sideline him until after the November international break.
Carlos Baleba’s night ended early as Manchester United’s comeback over Roma unfolded without him, and the midfielder’s latest setback now hangs over the club’s schedule. What should have been another step forward in his first months at Old Trafford instead became another interruption in a move that had already been delayed by injury.
Signed from Brighton & Hove Albion in August, Baleba was presented as the final piece in United’s midfield rebuild, the player expected to provide balance. He arrived with a pre-existing ankle problem picked up during Brighton’s preseason preparations, which pushed his debut back until after the September-October international break. Once available, the Cameroon international had begun to settle and show promise in a side that had otherwise struggled.
Tuesday’s match was only his fifth start for the Red Devils, but it ended shortly after half-time when he went down clutching his hamstring. He received treatment on the pitch before being forced to withdraw and hobble off. After the 3-2 win, Michael Carrick confirmed the problem was indeed hamstring-related, though he could offer little immediate clarity.
“We’ll have to assess what that looks like but, initially, it doesn’t look great,” Carrick offered.
Further tests and scans are expected in the coming days, with the club hoping the issue proves to be minor. Even so, the first indication was not encouraging, and the range of possible outcomes for hamstring injuries means the recovery window remains uncertain until the diagnosis is complete.
At this stage, it appears likely Baleba will miss action until after the November international break. United have only one fixture before then, away to Aston Villa on Nov. 8, before the schedule pauses again. Their next match is away to Liverpool on Nov. 22, a game that may come too soon even for a light hamstring problem. International duty with Cameroon also looks unlikely.
Aston Villa
Cunha available for Aston Villa after Champions League dismissal
Cunha’s Champions League red-card ban will not rule him out of Manchester United’s Aston Villa fixture.
Matheus Cunha’s eventful Champions League night against Roma ended with celebration, controversy and a suspension that will not affect Manchester United this weekend.
Cunha was central to the comeback, first by earning the penalty that helped change the game and then by scoring the winner after United had been pushed into a strong late position. Bruno Fernandes had earlier converted a retaken penalty early in the second half, before Cunha levelled after a Leo Balerdi error and then finished clinically at Devis Vásquez’s near post following Shea Lacey’s pass.
The Brazilian’s decisive contribution came with a cost. He collected two yellow cards in the closing stages, leaving him with a one-match ban. Even so, Manchester United can still call on him against Aston Villa on Sunday, because disciplinary suspensions from UEFA competition do not carry into the Premier League.
That means the ban will instead be served later this month, when United meet Sporting CP in Lisbon on Matchday 5 of the league phase, on Nov. 25.
Cunha’s first booking came after his goal, as he took off his shirt and then jumped into the crowd, both of which counted against him. The second arrived after Jesús Gil Manzano, who had awarded United a penalty at the start of the second half, was left with no option but to caution him again for his stoppage-time challenge on Balerdi.
It was a dramatic conclusion to a night that had already swung sharply in United’s favour, with Cunha emerging as the key figure in a revival that may have eased the pressure on Michael Carrick, at least for now.
