Ruben Amorim Addresses Benjamin Sesko’s Struggles at Manchester United

Ruben Amorim, the coach of Manchester United, has acknowledged that striker Benjamin Sesko has faced challenges since his transfer to the club. Signed for €76.5 million (£66.4 million) with additional potential add-ons of €8.5 million (£7.3 million) during the summer, Sesko’s transition to the Premier League has not been as smooth as anticipated.

After starting on the bench for the first three league matches of the season, Sesko made his debut against Manchester City in September, where he scored his first goal against Brentford. He followed this with another goal against Sunderland, contributing to a 2-0 victory. However, he was benched during a crucial match against Liverpool and did not perform well in subsequent matches, including a disappointing display against Nottingham Forest, where he missed two clear opportunities.

Amorim’s Perspective on Sesko’s Development

Former United player Gary Neville criticized Sesko’s performance, stating that he is “miles off it compared to the other forwards United brought in.” Responding to such remarks, Amorim expressed understanding of the pressures young players face in high-stakes environments. “Yeah, I’m relaxed. He’s not relaxed,” Amorim noted, acknowledging the challenges of adapting to a club with the immense expectations of Manchester United.

Amorim elaborated on the difficulties young players encounter when they are touted as future stars. “If you don’t perform every week, you are going to hear a lot of things from club legends, from pundits, from the media, and sometimes they are right,” he said. He emphasized that maintaining confidence amid criticism is particularly challenging for a young athlete who may feel the need to control their situation.

Despite these challenges, Amorim remains optimistic about Sesko’s potential. “I know he has more potential than I was thinking,” he stated. “He’s going to struggle, and we need to understand how he likes to play.” Amorim reassured fans that Sesko is integral to the team’s long-term plans, despite the inevitable bumps along the way.

Handling Criticism and Future Aspirations

When discussing the impact of media criticism from former players, Amorim acknowledged that while it is difficult to hear, it should be viewed as an opinion that can shift over time. “That is a fact. So let’s embrace that. It’s not personal,” he explained. He advised Sesko to get accustomed to such feedback, suggesting that it will become a natural part of his professional journey.

Looking ahead to the upcoming match against Tottenham, Amorim’s strategic decisions regarding Sesko’s starting position remain uncertain. United faces Spurs for the first time since their defeat in the Europa League final, leading to the dismissal of Tottenham’s former coach, Ange Postecoglou. Amorim acknowledged the challenges of coaching in a high-pressure environment, stating, “I know that is also important that someone to understand how lucky I am to have this opportunity.” He emphasized the need for patience as the club navigates its current trajectory.

As Manchester United approaches the November international break, a victory against Tottenham would secure the team 20 points in the league. Amorim expressed confidence in the team’s ability to win, stating, “If we have these opportunities, let’s make everything to win.” He reiterated the importance of focusing on each game, highlighting how rapidly circumstances can change in football.

Ultimately, Amorim’s commitment to supporting Sesko through this transitional phase reflects a broader understanding of the complexities young players face in elite football. He concluded with a clear goal: “Let’s focus just on winning Tottenham. Can we win Tottenham? I think we can. Let’s do everything to win the next one.”