Benjamin Sesko has been criticised for his slow start in the Premier League, but former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov is cautiously optimistic about the Slovenian striker.
When Benjamin Sesko signed for Manchester United in the summer, the 22-year-old would have been warned about the extra scrutiny that comes with playing for the biggest club in the Premier League.
It doesn’t help when United legends, now working in the media, weigh in with their criticisms, knowing their comments tend to carry extra weight.
Gary Neville is the main culprit for criticism of Sesko as things stand, with the former captain describing the striker as ‘awkward’ as he hasn’t hit the ground running like Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
The only way Sesko can silence the critics is by adding to his tally of two goals. He could do that before the November international break when United take on Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Dimitar Berbatov ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Benjamin Sesko
Sesko did not score in United’s 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest, but he will be looking to get back on the scoresheet this weekend.
The Slovenia international has impressed with his link-up play, despite not scoring goals at the rate of Mbeumo, who has five to his name since moving to Old Trafford in the summer.
Former United striker Dimitar Berbatov knows what it takes to be a success at United, and he is ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Sesko’s chances in a red shirt after being left impressed by the attributes he has at such a young age.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Berbatov said: “But when you are Manchester United brand and you are one of the most famous team in the world and you are always in the spotlight for good or bad you’re there and when you put the shirt on the pressure automatically is on you to perform to perform on the pitch and outside of the pitch to know how to behave to know how to speak to people journalists etc.
“So with him, maybe it’s a slow start, but let’s hope that he’s taking that time to learn the new way of the of the of the Premier League, of his teammates, to learn how his teammates playing, to tell them how he plays.
“So that small details matter a lot in the games. ‘When I make the run, just watch me. I will make that run for you. Give me the ball.’ Demand the ball.
“Of course, the strikers ultimately are judged by the goals they score, which if you ask me, it’s not fair because a striker can do so much more on the pitch, especially these days. Of course, if you have the ability, like I told you before, some strikers are just goal scorers like Haaland for example.
“And they feed on the services of the players around you. So, you need to have good players. They need to know that you are there so they cross the ball, you score.
“Sometimes you have other qualities that you can make your own goals or make or maybe make assist for your teammates to score. Like we spoke about Harry Kane.
“In his case, he has the speed because I watch him. He’s tall. He’s strong. He’s athletic. He can score with his head. The goals I saw him scoring in his previous clubs – left foot, right foot, bangers.
“I mean, and I’m like, well done. He’s coming to United. Now I’m again cautiously optimistic.
“I want him to have the best time possible but he is dependent on the players around him to give him the cross so he can feed on them. So this is again knowing your teammates that’s the most important thing.”
How many goals did Dimitar Berbatov score in his first season at Man Utd?
Berbatov’s first season at United was the 2008/09 campaign.
After arriving from Tottenham for a then club-record transfer, Berbatov won the Premier League in his first season and scored a total of 14 goals and registered 11 assists.
Sesko would be doing well if he could replicate that this season, especially since United have fewer games due to not having any European football.
United also reached the Champions League final in 2009 before losing against Barcelona.
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