Imagine stepping into the biggest football club in the world at just 22 years old, hailed as the next superstar, only to be slammed by legends and media alike. That's Benjamin Sesko's reality right now at Manchester United—and his coach has some strong words on why he shouldn't take it to heart.
Manchester United's head coach, Ruben Amorim, acknowledges that their £73.7 million striker, Benjamin Sesko, has had a tough start in his initial weeks at the club. But Amorim is urging the Slovenian international not to internalize the harsh feedback from club icons and experts. It's all part of the high-stakes game at Old Trafford, where expectations run sky-high.
In his first 11 matches for United, Sesko has netted just two goals. His latest strike came against Sunderland at Old Trafford back on October 4th. However, his showing during the recent matchup against Nottingham Forest sparked criticism from ex-captain Gary Neville, who bluntly stated that Sesko was "miles off it" when compared to other new signings like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. For beginners in football, this means Neville felt Sesko's performance was noticeably weaker than his peers who joined at the same time.
But here's where it gets controversial... Amorim agrees there's some truth to Neville's remarks, yet he argues they miss the bigger picture. Sesko is transitioning to a new league at a young age, having only played two seasons in Germany's Bundesliga with RB Leipzig. Adapting to the Premier League's intense pace, physical demands, and tactical styles—think of it as switching from a well-rehearsed play to an improvisational jazz session—can be overwhelming for anyone, let alone a 22-year-old. Amorim puts it simply: "I'm relaxed, but he's not relaxed. I understand how things are in football and he's going to struggle. That is normal. He has no experience here."
He explains that the initial hype surrounding Sesko—praise like being called "the next big thing"—sets unrealistic expectations. Then, at a club as demanding as United, if you don't deliver consistently, the backlash from legends, commentators, and the press can be brutal. "Of course, nobody likes to hear [it]," Amorim admits, "but he struggled a little bit, and that is a fact. So, let's embrace that." He encourages Sesko to see the criticism as impersonal opinion, not a personal attack, and notes that football's truths can flip quickly—something valid today might be forgotten in just a few weeks.
And this is the part most people miss... Sesko is reportedly putting in extraordinary effort to adapt. He's spending extended hours at United's Carrington training facility, arriving over 90 minutes before the usual 9:45 AM start and staying until 4:00 PM, well after his teammates have left. This dedication helps him gauge his current output against the club's high standards, showing his commitment to bridging the gap.
United insiders are still bullish on the Sesko signing, confident they chose wisely—even after loaning out Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli, where the Danish forward has already scored four goals in nine games. Amorim describes Sesko as "a young kid, a control freak" who tries to micromanage everything on the pitch. That's a common trait among young players, but Amorim believes Sesko has more untapped potential than he initially thought. The key is blending Sesko's preferred style with the team's strategies. "I'm quite relaxed with that," Amorim says. "He is going to be our striker for the long term but he's going to have these struggles and these bumps during the ride. That is a normal thing in football."
This weekend, United face Tottenham Hotspur for the first time since Brennan Johnson's late goal sealed Spurs' victory in the Europa League final in May. For those new to the sport, the Europa League is a prestigious European competition, and United's loss meant missing out on the Champions League—football's elite club tournament. Yet, despite Tottenham winning that trophy in Bilbao and earning Champions League entry this season, they surprisingly fired coach Ange Postecoglou, who later lost his job at Nottingham Forest too. It's a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football management.
Amorim, just finishing his first year at United, is preparing for his 38th Premier League game, which marks a full season's worth of matches. Despite only 12 wins, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly stated that Amorim might need up to three years to fully instill his coaching philosophy. The 40-year-old, formerly of Sporting CP, has the board's unwavering support. "I said already, I'm really lucky to be here," Amorim reflects. "If you see the game, I think we deserve to win but it doesn't matter. It's hard to see a coach that wins a European cup go away and the other guy stays. But sometimes it's maybe [thinking] in the future to win more important titles. That's, I think, what Manchester United is thinking. Let's give time to the coach and see what's happening."
Here's a controversial take to ponder: Is Amorim's patience with Sesko setting the young striker up for success, or is it delaying United's immediate resurgence? And why do some coaches get sacked after winning silverware while others get years of grace? What do you think—does Sesko have what it takes to become a United legend, or should the club have gone with a more seasoned option? Agree or disagree in the comments below, and let's discuss!
