Sesko’s Role at Manchester United: A Defense from Ferdinand

On December 21, Benjamin Sesko made his first start against Aston Villa since his return from injury but missed two goal-scoring opportunities in quick succession during the first half. This led to swift criticism, with many questioning whether Manchester United had once again prioritized potential over proven performance.

In the midst of this scrutiny, former United defender Rio Ferdinand came to Sesko’s defense, drawing parallels between Sesko’s contributions and those of his former teammate, Louis Saha. Saha, who played for United from 2004 to 2008, recorded 28 league goals and 10 assists in 86 Premier League matches—commendable figures, yet not headline-grabbing.

On his YouTube podcast, Ferdinand remarked, “Sesko offers more than just goals. Yes, strikers will be judged based on their scoring, but internally, there are aspects they contribute that are invaluable. Louis Saha was similar; he was never going to win the Golden Boot at Manchester United. However, his contributions to the team were extraordinary. He would help us advance the play and provide crucial moments of hold-up play, allowing the team to regroup.”

Ferdinand believes that Sesko’s presence enables creative players such as Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to flourish in the spaces behind him. Actions such as holding the ball under pressure, executing quick flicks, and occupying center-backs have been notably lacking in United’s forward play in recent years. Sesko appears to be well-suited for fulfilling this role.

“Forget about goals with him right now,” Ferdinand continued. “His overall game is impressive. I often found myself thinking, ‘I’m so glad he’s on our side.’ While we still want to see him score, I can observe aspects of his game that others are benefiting from. United has struggled to find a striker who can effectively hold the ball or flick on passes for quite some time. It’s a simple yet effective necessity.”

United head coach Ruben Amorim echoed the call for patience following the Villa match, emphasizing that Sesko’s performance should be evaluated in light of his rapid return from a knee injury. “He is reintegrating into competitive play quickly and will improve significantly. The plan was for him to play 70 to 75 minutes. He is working hard to regain his form, and we are supporting him in this process,” Amorim said.

Sesko himself seems unfazed by the pressure. Earlier this month, he expressed his gratitude and determination to the club media, highlighting the deep connection he feels with the fans. “I’ve really enjoyed meeting the fans since I joined the club. The passion they have for Manchester United is incredible; it’s heartwarming to see. They share our aspirations and genuinely want to help us win games. I absolutely love that.”

Looking ahead, United will face Wolves, who currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League after failing to secure a win in their last 18 matches and accumulating just two points. For Amorim’s squad, this match presents an opportunity to build momentum following a narrow victory over Newcastle United on Boxing Day, where Sesko again found it challenging to make a significant impact. The match against Wolves offers Sesko yet another chance—not only to add to his goal tally but also to showcase the subtler aspects of his game that Ferdinand believes are beginning to take shape.