Benjamin Šeško ties Premier League record under Michael Carrick
Benjamin Šeško — often searched online as benjamin eko — has tied the best minutes-per-goal rate under one manager in Premier League history at Manchester United. Opta data cited by the club shows he scored seven goals in 595 minutes under Michael Carrick, matching Michy Batshuayi's 85-minute mark under Antonio Conte.
The 23-year-old's surge under Carrick caps a dramatic turnaround after a slow start under Ruben Amorim, when he managed just two goals in 17 appearances. United now enter the new campaign trusting him as their main No. 9 — even as debate swirls about his long-term future.
Key Takeaways
- Opta figures relayed by Manchester United rank Šeško joint-first for minutes per goal under a single Premier League manager.
- He scored 12 goals in 32 appearances last season, including a strike against Liverpool before a Konate collision ended his campaign.
- United declined to sign a new striker this summer, backing Šeško despite a pre-season injury layoff.
- Club legend Michael Owen has questioned whether the £74m signing is United's long-term answer up front.
How did Šeško turn his season around under Carrick?
Šeško joined from RB Leipzig last summer as part of a revamped attack alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. Under Amorim, the Slovenian struggled for form and confidence.
Amorim's January departure changed everything. Šeško scored three goals in two games under interim Darren Fletcher, then continued his run when Carrick took over as caretaker manager until the end of the season.
Carrick used him effectively off the bench before promoting him to starts. Against Liverpool in May, Šeško opened the scoring in the 14th minute to give United a 2-0 lead before Ibrahima Konate hurled him into an advertising board at half-time. United won 3-2, but Šeško missed the final three league games against Sunderland, Nottingham Forest and Brighton.
What does the Opta record actually show?
According to statistics from Opta, as reported by United's official site and relayed by The Peoples Person, Šeško shares the joint-best goalscoring frequency under one manager since the Premier League began.
His seven goals in 595 minutes under Carrick equal Batshuayi's seven in 592 under Conte — both averaging a goal every 85 minutes. Kelechi Iheanacho (94 minutes), Sergio Agüero (96) and Erling Haaland (98) trail behind on the all-time list.
If Šeško starts the 2026-27 campaign strongly, he could become the sole record holder. That matters for a club returning to the Champions League and leaning on its in-form striker rather than buying another forward.
Why is there doubt about Šeško despite the numbers?
Not everyone is convinced the hot streak defines the £74m man's future. Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star, former United striker Michael Owen praised Šeško's late-season form but said: "I don't think he is the long-term future for Manchester United."
Owen argued that with Champions League football back at Old Trafford, Šeško must "play and score" from the start of the season. He also suggested Carrick could reintegrate Marcus Rashford — who returned after 18 months away and was given the No. 14 shirt — as a potential alternative if the Slovenian falters.
Šeško's immediate concern is fitness. He played no part in United's six pre-season games while recovering from the Liverpool injury, leaving Carrick with a selection headache as competitive action nears. For more on high-profile football storylines, see our Celebrity Breaking News hub.
What happens next for United's No. 9?
United finished third last season and added Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Karl Darlow in the transfer window, with a move for Carlos Baleba also close. They chose not to invest in another striker, signalling faith in Šeško's Carrick-era explosion.
The record is remarkable on paper. Whether Owen's scepticism or Opta's optimism wins out will depend on whether Šeško can stay fit, lead the line from day one, and convert his historic efficiency into a full season of goals.