From dark horse to double nominee: Benjamin Sesko gets Premier League shine, Bruno Fernandes snubbed

Manchester United’s Benjamin Sesko has capped a remarkable February by landing nominations for both the Premier League Player of the Month and Goal of the Month awards, eclipsing team-mate and club captain Bruno Fernandes in the monthly honours list.

The 20-year-old Slovenian began the month as a peripheral figure but leaves it as United’s form player, his impact timed perfectly with the return of interim boss Michael Carrick to the Old Trafford dug-out. Sesko did not start every match, yet every touch carried menace: a stoppage-time winner against Fulham, a late equaliser versus West Ham and, on 26 February, the only goal of the game against Everton after stepping off the bench.

That trio of interventions has propelled Sesko on to the six-man shortlist for Player of the Month, the sole United representative selected by the league’s panel. The same strike that sank Fulham—an unstoppable drive beyond Bernd Leno in the 93rd minute—also earned him a place among the eight contenders for Goal of the Month.

While Fernandes has flourished in a more advanced role under Carrick, the Portugal midfielder’s statistics and influence were not deemed sufficient for nomination, highlighting the fine margins that separate recognition from omission.

Voting for both awards remains open until midday on 9 March, leaving Sesko’s growing fanbase a narrow window to reinforce his new-found status from impact substitute to headline act.