Dimitar Berbatov feels that Benjamin Sesko was not ready to play in the Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United game
Manchester United arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 9 on the back of three wins and one draw in the last four matches. They expected to get all three points out of the game and push for the top spot. However, the United fans had to deal with immense tension till the final minute of the match.
The Red Devils were productive in the first half and led at halftime with a goal from their in-form attacker, Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroon international scored off a header to give United a 1-0 lead going into halftime, but little did he know that the situation would completely turn around in the second half.
Spurs made it 2-1 with goals from Mathys Tel and Richarlison, while United were staring at a hard-fought defeat. However, defender Matthijs de Ligt rescued his team with a last-ditch goal to end the match on level terms. United did manage to pull out a point, but questions started to emerge regarding the team’s attack.
The newly signed striker Benjamin Sesko came off the bench in the second half but could not capitalise on a well-threaded pass from his new fellow signing Matheus Cunha. Spurs defender Micky van de Ven read the danger and made a sliding tackle to stop the attack.
What did Berbatov say?
The Slovenian had to leave the pitch with an injury, and his side had to play with 10 men for the remainder of the game. Meanwhile, former United striker Dimitar Berbatov reflected on the episode and pointed to Sesko’s confidence and rhythm. He suggested that the 22-year-old might still be adjusting to the pace and weight of expectation at this level. Meanwhile, some earlier reports claimed that United, as a club, is unfazed by the situation of Sesko.
“I want to be supportive, I sympathise with his situation. Yes, he needed to do better, maybe take the ball more to his left foot so this way it eliminates the defender, but we cannot take away the tackle from Micky van de Ven as well, great, great tackle.
“Maybe that lack of confidence, playing minutes, it affects a player.
“Then when you get injured out of it, it shows maybe you are not ready to step into the game at full speed.”
Via Metro
What exactly is the problem with the Slovenian?
The key issue with Sesko at Manchester United is not his ability but a disjointed tactical system that isolates him. A natural finisher with excellent movement, Sesko thrives when the team provides crosses and creates chances in the penalty area, but United’s attack lacks consistent wide delivery and final-third incision.
Compounding this, Amorim’s recent struggles have seen him experiment tactically, unsettling the team and impacting Sesko’s rhythm, confidence, and integration into the side.
A potential injury scare has further disrupted his season. If the team has to unlock his situation, it will require a sustained tactical approach that emphasises attacking from wide areas, providing better service, and integrating him more consistently into the buildup play.
This would build his confidence and allow him to showcase his clinical finishing in a system that supports him. However, the Red Devils have Joshua Zirkzee as the backup striker, who himself is frustrated with not getting the trust from Amorim. Now, if Sesko is sidelined, Mbeumo might be pushed as the striker, and Amad might have to play in the Cameroon international’s position. Interesting times ahead!