Rio Ferdinand urges Manchester United to play to Benjamin Sesko;s strengths
Last season was nothing short of a nightmare for Manchester United. Finishing 15th in the Premier League, losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final, and being eliminated from any European competition for the next season shattered the club’s confidence. The arrival of Ruben Amorim brought some hope, but the ongoing season started poorly again.
They lost the first match against Arsenal 1-0 and the second match against Fulham was tied at 1-1. Meanwhile, new striker Benjamin Sesko, who was bought from RB Leipzig for around £72 million, has only appeared as a substitute in two matches so far. He has not yet been able to make it to the starting eleven and the team’s old problem seems to be the same.
Ferdinand’s concern and Sesko’s situation
Manchester United bought Sesko to avoid repeating the failure of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee last season, but the problem is becoming clear in the initial weeks itself. Rio Ferdinand expressed concern on his YouTube channel that Sesko is not being used properly.
He said that the team is playing around him, whereas the ball should be given directly to him so that he can trouble the opposition defenders. Ferdinand believes that if Sesko got more opportunities, his qualities and weaknesses would have come to the fore quickly. He also said that it is important to give the player a chance so that the rest of the teammates can also understand his game and adjust.
United made Sesko a part of their project despite bidding more than Newcastle United because he was considered to be the center forward of the future. Playing a total of 64 minutes in two matches so far is disappointing for both the Slovenian and the team. Ferdinand indirectly pointed fingers at the team’s playing style and said that if the striker doesn’t get opportunities then the deal will remain incomplete. It is a matter of concern for United fans that such a big investment has not shown any results yet. (Via Manchester Evening News).
“He isn’t going to be an easy day’s work. Get it into him and make them defend. But we are playing it around him. Sometimes it’s like really basic, fundamental things.
“Get it into someone who can cause problems but we go against that. So that was my main concern, you are not getting to see who he is.
“I would rather you play it into him and he look rubbish so we know what we’ve got because, right now, I don’t know what he is or what he’s doing. I’m not pointing the finger but you have got to help your team-mates find their feet in the team.”
Ferdinand’s words are true. We think United’s current playing style is suppressing Sesko’s strengths. If he is a target man then he should be given the ball in the box constantly. The 22-year-old’s identity is not clear yet as he has not been tested properly. In our opinion Amorim should include Sesko in the starting eleven to see how much difference he can actually make. A player of such a big investment cannot be judged by small cameos as a substitute.
If the team continues to play in the same old pattern then the situation like last season can be repeated. United should play aggressively and serve Sesko in the box and provide direct support from the midfield. The big money the club have paid will only pay off if he gets consistent opportunities. It’s time for Amorim to show some courage and give Sesko some real responsibility. That’s the only way United can solve their striker problem. In other news, Manchester United dig in their heels as Saudi giants circle for key star.