Challenges and Optimism: United’s Forward Sesko Adjusts to Premier League

This summer brought considerable excitement as United invested over £200 million to bolster their forward line, acquiring talents such as Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha.

While Mbeumo and Cunha have made an immediate impact for the Red Devils, Sesko’s journey has been more challenging, with just two goals in 11 appearances across all competitions.

Given his difficulties in adapting to English football, United legend Gary Neville has raised concerns about whether Sesko represents a worthwhile investment for the 20-time champions. In a discussion with NBC Sports following United’s 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, Neville remarked, “I’m no further forward with him; the jury’s still out. He’s miles off it compared to the other forwards United brought in, like Cunha and Mbeumo. He looks awkward, and his touch was lacking at times. For £80 million, yes, he’s young and still adjusting, but you expect to see more.”

Despite acknowledging Sesko’s struggles since his transfer from Germany, United head coach Amorim has urged him not to take the critiques from club legends too personally. Providing insight into Sesko’s efforts behind the scenes to alter the narrative regarding his high-profile move, Amorim stated, “I’m relaxed, but he’s not. I understand how tough it can be in football, and he will face challenges—that’s normal. He lacks experience in this environment.

“The initial hype can be overwhelming; when everyone calls you the next big star, it creates pressure. Coming to a club known for its high standards means any lack of performance will attract commentary from legends, pundits, and the media—and sometimes they are right.

“No one enjoys criticism, but it’s a fact he’s faced challenges. Let’s acknowledge that. It’s difficult to accept, but it’s not personal. Public opinion can change in a matter of weeks.

“Ben is a young talent who tends to want to control every aspect of his game, but he cannot control everything. He has more potential than I initially recognized, but we must align his playstyle with our tactical ideas. I’m confident in his long-term prospects as our striker, but he will encounter hurdles along the way—that’s part of football.”

Sesko will look to alleviate some pressure when United takes on Tottenham in the league this Saturday, marking the first encounter since the Europa League final in May, where Spurs clinched a 1-0 victory to end a 17-year trophy drought against Amorim’s squad.

However, United travels to north London buoyed by a four-match unbeaten streak in the league. Currently positioned eighth and just one point behind sixth-placed Tottenham, the Old Trafford club secured three consecutive wins against Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton before last weekend’s draw with Forest.

Previewing the upcoming clash with Spurs, Amorim commented, “I believe we are improving as a squad. Our success is rooted in enhanced training, better game understanding, and increased options. The consistency in our results is more a reflection of the squad’s overall performance rather than just the starting XI.”