Benjamin Sesko rejected Man Utd number nine shirt for Rasmus Hojlund
Benjamin Sesko turned down the chance to wear the Manchester United number nine shirt upon his arrival to show respect to outgoing striker Rasmus Hojlund.
The Slovenia international joined the Red Devils in August in a deal worth £74m, quickly establishing himself as the club’s first-choice forward.
Sesko opted to wear the number 30 shirt instead of taking the traditional striker’s jersey.
Hojlund, who had held the number nine, was in the process of finalising a loan move away from Old Trafford after falling down the pecking order.
A mark of respect
According to The Athletic, United officials were willing to allow their new signing to wait until Hojlund had officially departed before selecting his squad number.
However, with the 23-year-old still technically a United player at the time, Sesko decided against taking the shirt to avoid disrespecting his team-mate.
The former RB Leipzig attacker has since found excellent form under manager Michael Carrick.
He could yet inherit the prestigious number nine jersey next summer if Hojlund’s departure becomes permanent.
Hojlund finding form in Italy
The Danish forward eventually completed a deadline-day loan move to Napoli, ending a difficult two-year spell in the Premier League.
The agreement includes an obligation for the Serie A side to buy Hojlund for £38m if they qualify for the Champions League.
Hojlund has enjoyed a resurgence under Antonio Conte, helping the club win the Italian Super Cup.
He has scored 13 goals in 34 appearances for the Italian outfit, who currently sit third in the table.
Speaking to Italian publication Il Mattino, the striker used a colourful analogy to describe his return to goalscoring ways.
“I’m like ketchup. When the sauce doesn’t come out, you’re there, struggling to get it out, then suddenly it all comes out at once,” Hojlund said.
“It’s the same when you don’t score for a long time. It’s an incredible joy to score, but when the team and the coach believe in you, the goal is like a flower that has to bloom, it’s just a matter of time.”
