Dwight Yorke fears Manchester United could find themselves in a similar situation with Benjamin Sesko, which left Rasmus Hojlund pushed out of the club on loan this summer.
There is little hope for Rasmus Hojlund resurrecting his Manchester United career, even if he kicks on and continues to score goals for Napoli as they try to defend the Serie A title.
Ruben Amorim made up his mind at the start of the season when he overlooked the Denmark international, while waiting for United to complete the signing of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
It was a move that many expected. United spent the summer being linked with an array of strikers – from Viktor Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal, to Chelsea’s Liam Delap.
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However, Sesko has managed to score two goals in his 14 appearances for United, which isn’t enough to suggest he has been an upgrade on Hojlund.
That won’t stop fans from pointing to his performances and key attributes because there have been glimpses of a promising player. Injury setbacks can also make it difficult for new signings to settle, which is part of the reason pundits need to be mindful of Sesko’s age and profile when analysing his adjustment period.
Sesko will be looking to score his third goal of the season when United travel to Leeds on Sunday, after missing multiple chances to do so in United’s 1-1 draw with Wolves at Old Trafford.
Dwight Yorke warns Man Utd over Benjamin Sesko
Sesko signed for United in the summer transfer window in a deal worth around £74 million.
While Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have settled quickly into their new surroundings, it’s worth noting that Sesko is coming to a completely new league, having played in the German Bundesliga since 2023.
The 22-year-old striker has been blowing hot and cold since he arrived at Old Trafford, but the only way to address that is by scoring goals if he can get enough help from his teammates.
Former United striker Dwight Yorke doesn’t think Sesko is getting enough service from the other United players, and that he might fall into a ‘similar’ trap to United loanee Hojlund.
Yorke was speaking to Football Italia when he was asked about Hojlund.
“At the end of the day, as a striker, you’re always going to be judged on goals,” Yorke said.
“You can work as hard as possible, and people are seeing the work that Benjamin Sesko has put in. However, I still think United are adapting to playing with him too.
“They’re still finding their feet and understanding the individual roles that they all have. I think that’s why it’s taking some time with Sesko.
“Historically at United, creative balls are coming in, trying to get that number nine on the end of their crosses and creativity, and I think that’s an area United could improve in to help Sesko.
“They haven’t really found a set way of playing to his strengths yet. You can see the manager is just thinking: ‘Just get results. It doesn’t matter how we get results right now, just get results.’
“That has isolated Sesko. If United are not really getting him on the score sheet, it doesn’t really matter. But that can only carry on for so long because if you’re not getting that creativity and they’re not creating for you as a number nine, the frustration will kick in.
“We’ve seen what happened to Rasmus Højlund, and United will need to find a way of avoiding a similar situation, but creating more chances for Sesko.”
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Yorke added that United need to start playing to Sesko’s strengths to grow as a team.
“Whether you give him a chance and opportunity to score as a number nine, ultimately that’s what you’re going to be judged on. And he’s done that again, whatever he is.
“Certainly, he’s the talisman in that team. They play to his strengths like Manchester United don’t do with Benjamin Sesko for example, that makes a massive difference as a striker.”
Dwight Yorke approves of Carlos Baleba links
In the same interview, Yorke was asked about the possibility of United signing Aston Villa talisman Morgan Rogers.
Rodgers scored a brace as United lost 2-1 against Aston Villa over the festive period.
Yorke was confused by the question because United had not been linked with Rodgers due to the transfer being extremely unrealistic.
The former United goalscorer referenced Carlos Baleba as a United target who could bring much-needed energy to the team.
“Morgan Rogers is obviously a candidate that seems to fit well but is he the answer? I’m not so sure, but I can see why his name has been mentioned.
“One of the qualities that Manchester United have had in the past is a good number six, who can really sit in that midfield, conduct the style of play, and influence the team. It’s an area we thought Casemiro would have filled. He looked very good when he first arrived, but he’s not getting any younger.
“So, it’s an area United will need to address.
“Who else is out there that can fill that role and really influence the game? Someone like Moises Caicedo does a great deal of work there. There is Carlos Baleba at Brighton, I think he is another one who can be in that role and bring good energy.
“But it’s not just a sitting role, it’s someone who brings that energy and can see that pass. That number six role is so crucial. You’ve got to be mobile, you’ve got to be athletic enough to get around the place, and also control the game and the tempo.
“There are a few candidates out there, but I can see why Morgan Rogers is mentioned. He is the flavour of the month at the moment, and everyone is trying to pounce on that.
“I’m not really a great believer in that. I look a little bit deeper into the soul of the player to see if he will really fulfill that sort of area when it comes to United, because of the magnitude of the team he is going to play for.”
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