Amorim Encourages Sesko Amid Early Challenges at Manchester United

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has acknowledged that striker Benjamin Sesko, acquired for £73.7 million, has faced challenges in his initial weeks at the club. He emphasized the importance of not taking criticism from club legends to heart.

In his first 11 matches for United, Sesko has scored two goals, with his most recent being against Sunderland at Old Trafford on October 4th. However, his performance during the recent match against Nottingham Forest drew criticism from former captain Gary Neville, who remarked that the Slovenia international was “miles off it” compared to fellow new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

While Amorim recognizes the merit in Neville’s observations, he believes they overlook the context of Sesko’s transition to a new league at just 22 years old, following two seasons in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig.

“I’m relaxed,” Amorim stated. “However, he’s not. I understand the pressures in football, and facing struggles is a normal part of that. He lacks experience in this environment.

“The initial expectations can be overwhelming when everyone labels you as the next big thing. Coming to a club like Manchester United, where consistent performance is required, means that judgments from legends, pundits, and the media will come quickly—and often they are justified.

“It’s unpleasant to hear, but it’s not personal. Opinions can shift rapidly; what’s true today might not hold in just three weeks.”

Sources indicate that Sesko is dedicating significant time at United’s Carrington training ground to grasp the performance standards required. He frequently arrives over 90 minutes before the standard meeting time of 09:45 and tends to leave after 16:00, long after many of his teammates.

United officials remain optimistic about their decision to sign Sesko, even as Rasmus Hojlund has been loaned to Napoli, where he has scored four times in nine appearances for the Italian champions.

“Ben is a young player with a desire to control every aspect of his game,” Amorim noted. “But he must understand that he cannot control everything.

“His potential is greater than I anticipated, but we need to align our tactical ideas with his playing style. I am confident in his long-term future with us, even if he will encounter struggles along the way; that is part of the game.”

As Manchester United prepares to face Tottenham, the match marks the first encounter since Brennan Johnson’s decisive goal helped Spurs defeat them in the Europa League final in May. Despite lifting the trophy in Bilbao and qualifying for the Champions League this season, Tottenham has since dismissed coach Ange Postecoglou, who also lost his position at Nottingham Forest.

With Amorim marking a year in his role, the upcoming match will be his 38th Premier League game in charge, resulting in only 12 victories thus far. Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently remarked that it might take Amorim up to three years to fully implement his vision, underscoring the board’s support for him.

“I feel fortunate to be here,” said the Portuguese coach. “From what I’ve observed in our games, I believe we deserve to win. It’s challenging to witness a coach who has achieved European success depart while others remain. However, sometimes it’s about planning for the future and pursuing more significant titles. I trust that Manchester United is considering this and will grant the coach the time needed to realize his objectives.”