Gary Neville criticizes Sesko: 11 matches, 2 goals for Man United

Gary Neville has questioned Benjamin Sesko after a string of unconvincing performances for Manchester United. Speaking to NBC Sports, the former player said the Slovenian striker looked awkward, especially in the air, and after 11 appearances he has only scored two goals – too few compared to the expectations for such an expensive signing.

Neville: Sesko is still a question mark after 5 goalless matches

After a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, Sesko went five games without a goal. Neville said: “I haven’t made any progress in assessing him. For me, it’s still open.”

Compared to impressive new signings like Matheus Cunha or Bryan Mbeumo, Neville thinks Sesko is falling behind: “He looked very awkward. There were a few high balls where Sesko didn’t have the rhythm or touch to control the ball. For an £80m contract, you could say he’s young and needs time to adapt, but I still expected to see more.”

Developments: MU lost their winning streak, Sesko faded

Against Nottingham Forest, Manchester United took an early lead thanks to Casemiro's opening goal, but their opponents came back with goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savona. It was not until the end of the match that Amad Diallo saved MU with a 2-2 equalizer.

In that context, Sesko – expected to be the spearhead of the attack – did not leave a clear mark, despite having a few chances in the first half. His presence in the penalty area was not sharp enough to make a difference.

Tactical analysis: bottlenecks in air combat and connectivity

What Neville points out reflects two core issues: handling high balls and first touches. Without good control of the drop point and tempo, the striker will have difficulty maintaining control of the 50-50 ball, thereby reducing his ability to wall or attract the opposition centre-back. In a team that relies heavily on transitions, the striker’s every touch can determine the pace of the ball.

In terms of connection, Sesko needs to improve his integration with the backline and surrounding strikers. The ability to coordinate the first phase – from picking the right position to releasing the ball on the right time – is the key to opening up space for teammates. The “fidgeting” described by Neville makes it easy for the build-up to be broken down before United can get the ball into dangerous areas.

Transfer value pressure and rookie comparison

Sesko joined Old Trafford from RB Leipzig for £74m. The expectations that come with that figure are always harsh, while Neville’s reference to “£80m” in his speech underscores the pressure. The comparison with Matheus Cunha or Bryan Mbeumo shows that the criteria for judging in the Premier League are clear: immediate effectiveness and quick adaptation.

Notable statistics

• 11 appearances for Manchester United, scoring 2 goals.
• 5 consecutive matches without scoring.
• Moved from RB Leipzig for a fee of £74m; Neville mentioned “£80m” in his speech on NBC Sports.
• Manchester United finished 7th in the Premier League.
• Draw Nottingham Forest 2-2: Casemiro opened the scoring; Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolo Savona scored for Forest; Amad Diallo equalized late on.

Impact on the race and the problem for MU's attack

The draw cost United the chance to extend their winning streak to four games. A tough schedule ahead – including a clash with Tottenham – puts even more pressure on Sesko. Coach Amorim and fans expect more from the 22-year-old striker, not just goals but also integration and the ability to make a difference.

If he doesn't improve his handling and impact on the game soon, Sesko risks becoming a disappointing signing at Old Trafford – where expectations always go hand in hand with pressure.

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