Shearer criticized Sesko after Man Utd drew 2-2 with Tottenham
On Match of the Day, Alan Shearer criticized Benjamin Sesko for being indecisive: he entered the field for more than half an hour but missed two big chances, one of which was saved by Van de Ven's diving tackle.
Manchester United drew 2-2 with Tottenham, but the focus of the discussion was on Benjamin Sesko. Legendary Alan Shearer, in his commentary on BBC's Match of the Day, pointed out the £74 million striker's hesitation and indecision as he missed two chances that could have decided the game.
The pivotal moment: the golden opportunity passed
Brought on in the second half, Sesko had a good one-on-one situation. However, instead of finishing immediately or pushing the ball to create space, he chose to take more time to play. That hesitation was enough for center-back Micky van de Ven to drop back and make a precise tackle, denying Manchester United a clear chance.
It was a moment that reflected the brutality of the Premier League: spaces closing in a split second, every decision having to be made on the first touch. For a centre-back with Van de Ven’s pace and ability to read situations, the striker’s hesitation was an invitation to intercept.
Alan Shearer's perspective on Match of the Day
Shearer said: "Sesko is struggling again. He's only scored two goals in 12 appearances and today, coming on with half an hour on the clock, he had two really good chances and should have scored. In the first one, Sesko either had to finish early or get the ball forward quicker. You don't get that much time in the Premier League to get the ball onto your right foot."
He continued: "I know he's struggling with a lack of confidence, but any centre-forward knows you can't let the centre-back get to him. Sesko should have had an idea in his head of where the goalkeeper is and what he wants to do. I don't think he had any idea of what he wanted to do, because I don't even think he knew Van de Ven was there chasing him."
Finally, Shearer highlighted the pressure that comes with a big fee at Manchester United: such opportunities must be converted.
The decisive problem in the Premier League
The key is timing and pre-planning. For a striker, the decision window is often limited to one touch: either shoot early before the goalkeeper has time to close the angle, or push the ball quickly to force a centre-back to make a mistake. By choosing to slow down, the striker puts himself at a disadvantage against centre-backs who can accelerate and intervene accurately.
Shearer's comments also highlight the psychological aspect: lack of confidence causes strikers to lose the "map" in their heads of the goalkeeper's position, the defender's movement and the optimal finishing plan. When the visualization is unclear, every move is easily predicted by the opponent.
Main parameters
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Goals this season (all competitions by source) | 2 |
| Number of appearances | 12 |
| A clear chance in the 2-2 draw (according to Shearer) | 2 |
Impact and pressure after 2-2 draw
With Manchester United needing a late-game edge, Sesko’s two chances were pivotal. The misses add weight to the story of the pressure that comes with a £74m fee, especially when decisive moments often define a striker’s perception.
The message from Shearer is clear: the Premier League does not allow for hesitation. To make the final minutes his stage, Sesko needs to regain his confidence, make decisions earlier and be more decisive in his first touches.
