Every new signing at Manchester United comes with sky-high expectations — especially when there’s a £73.7 million price tag attached.
For Benjamin Sesko, however, the early weeks in red have been far from smooth, and Gary Neville hasn’t held back in voicing his concerns.
Neville Questions Sesko’s Readiness for the Premier League
During his analysis of United’s 2–2 draw against Nottingham Forest, Neville didn’t mince words.
The former Red Devils defender described Sesko as “miles off” the level expected of Manchester United’s other attacking recruits.
He even went as far as saying the young striker looked “awkward” on the pitch, with several heavy touches and missed chances.
“He’s miles off it compared to the other forwards United brought in, like Cunha and Mbeumo,” Neville said.
“His touch was off a few times when balls went over the top. For £80 million, yes, he’s young and still settling, but you want to see something more.”
The Numbers Behind Sesko’s Slow Start
Despite arriving from RB Leipzig with a glowing reputation, Sesko’s impact has been underwhelming so far.
He’s managed just two goals in 11 appearances, struggling to find rhythm in front of goal.
His performance against Forest summed up his challenges — 21 touches across 90 minutes, fewer than half of any other United starter, and three off-target shots.
What makes his struggles more noticeable is the contrast with his fellow new arrivals.
Bryan Mbeumo, already familiar with the Premier League, has five goals to his name.
Matheus Cunha, though not prolific, has at least shown flashes of creativity in the final third.
Flashes of Promise That Fizzled Out
There was a brief moment of hope when Sesko found the net in back-to-back games against Brentford and Sunderland, hinting at a turning point.
But that spark quickly faded. He’s now gone three consecutive matches without scoring again, even as United’s overall form has improved.
His current goal tally also falls short compared to Rasmus Hojlund’s early days at Old Trafford — the Danish forward netted three times in his first 11 outings last season.
A Long Courtship Before the Big Move
Manchester United’s pursuit of Sesko didn’t happen overnight.
The club had been tracking the Slovenian striker since he was a teenager.
His camp opted for patience, allowing him to mature in the Bundesliga first — a move that paid off as he bagged 39 goals in two seasons for RB Leipzig, catching the attention of top clubs across Europe.
That rich form and potential convinced United to finally seal the deal, believing they were getting one of Europe’s most promising young talents.
Bruno Fernandes Stands by His Teammate
While Neville’s criticism was sharp, not everyone inside Old Trafford shares his pessimism.
Club captain Bruno Fernandes has publicly backed Sesko, praising his attitude and willingness to improve.
“Ben will always be judged by goals, but he’s been doing great with what’s asked of him,” Fernandes said.
“He’s eager to learn, he wants to become better, and that’s a great sign.
When the weekend comes, he switches on — he knows he has to fight for goals, win duels, get into the box. That’s very important for us.”
What’s Next for the Young Striker?
Sesko’s early months at United have been a test of patience — both for him and the fans.
The raw ability is there, but consistency, confidence, and composure are still missing pieces of the puzzle.
As Neville pointed out, settling into the Premier League takes time, but with Fernandes and the dressing room behind him, Sesko still has the chance to turn critics into believers.
The real question now is whether he can translate that potential into goals before the pressure becomes too heavy to bear.