Benjamin Sesko has been on the receiving end of harsh criticism from Gary Neville, but the Manchester United striker must prove himself to another Red Devils legend.
The 22-year-old Slovenian forward has had a mixed start to life at Old Trafford after leaving RB Leipzig and signing for Manchester United in the summer window.
Benjamin Sesko has netted twice and registered one assist in 12 appearances across all competitions for United since his arrival at the Premier League club in August.
Despite lacking a consistent goalscoring return in the final third, the Slovenia international has earned high praise for his role in Ruben Amorim’s tactical system.
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Sesko has linked up well with fellow summer signings Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in the new-look attacking threat for the Red Devils in the 2025-26 campaign.
However, the former Newcastle and Arsenal target has not done enough to win everyone over this season, especially the likes of Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville.
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Gary Neville reacted to Benjamin Sesko’s performance against Nottingham Forest earlier this month and the Manchester United legend pulled no punches.
The 50-year-old ex-United captain said that the Red Devils signing looked “well off it” compared with what Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have shown this season.
“I’m no further forward with him,” Neville explained on NBC Sports after United’s encounter with Nottingham Forest.
“The jury is out. He’s well off it compared to the other summer signings that Man United made up front in Cunha and Mbeumo.”
The Sky Sports pundit added: “He looks awkward, he had a couple of really good opportunities in the first half when balls got played over the top and his touch wasn’t quite right.
“For 80 million pounds, you can say he’s young, has a lot of potential and is only just settling in, but you still want to see a bit more.”
Neville irked United fans at the time after Sesko did well with other parts of his display in United’s 2-2 Premier League draw vs Forest at City Ground.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s latest Man Utd remarks should be a massive motivational factor for Benjamin Sesko
Neville’s verdict on Sesko was one thing for the United striker to prove wrong, but the ex-RB Leipzig ace was entirely overlooked by what Sir Alex Ferguson said.
Sir Alex Ferguson praised Senne Lammens for his impact at the Red Devils and the iconic ex-United manager felt that things were finally clicking into place for the club.
“There are signs, the manager has had some good signs,” he told Raceday TV, as per the Manchester Evening News.
“Particularly the goalkeeper – he’s been outstanding. He’s only played three or four games and he’s looking really good.”
The salt is rubbed deep into the wounds for Sesko after Senne Lammens was not the only one to earn praise, with Ferguson singling out Mbeumo and Cunha as well.
“Of course, Mbeumo and Cunha, the new players from Wolves and Brentford, have added to it,” he continued.
“I hope the manager gets a bit of success because at United you need to have success – and the signs are getting better.
“I think back-to-back wins [are] something teams like United should always expect.
“But having gone through a cycle where improvement requires patience, they’ll enjoy it now.”
If there was anything to light a fire in Sesko’s belly, then it would be for the United striker to prove to Ferguson why his name should have been mentioned as well.
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