Wayne Rooney has come to the defense of Benjamin Sesko, following criticism from Gary Neville regarding the young striker’s performance at Manchester United. Sesko, who joined United from RB Leipzig in August for a fee of £73.7 million, has struggled to find his footing, scoring only twice in 12 appearances. Despite his rocky start, Rooney believes that Sesko’s contributions to the team extend beyond goal-scoring.
In a recent episode of The Overlap Fan Debate, Rooney acknowledged Sesko’s challenges, stating, “He’s going through a bit of a tough time in terms of goals scored.” He highlighted that the striker’s ability to hold up the ball has positively impacted his teammates, including Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Rooney noted, “We are seeing as the ball is going up to him, Mbeumo, Cunha, (Mason) Mount making runs in behind. Because they know he will compete and he will win flick-ons.”
Despite Rooney’s optimism, Sesko’s situation has become more complicated due to a knee injury sustained during a match against Tottenham Hotspur. Introduced as a substitute in the 58th minute, Sesko was forced to leave the pitch just half an hour later. While the club continues to assess his condition at Carrington, initial reports suggest the injury may not be severe.
Gary Neville’s critical comments stemmed from a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest earlier this month. He remarked, “I’m no further forward with him, the jury’s still out. He looks awkward, his touch was off a few times when balls went over the top.” His assessment reflects the high expectations surrounding Sesko, given the significant investment United made in him.
Rooney’s support for Sesko underscores a broader narrative about young players adjusting to the pressures of top-tier football. The former United striker emphasized that while Sesko has room for improvement, he is performing better than some may suggest. He urged the striker to focus on getting into scoring positions, stating, “I think he has been OK and will come good.”
As Manchester United continues to navigate a competitive season, the spotlight remains on Sesko to fulfill his potential and justify the club’s investment. With the backing of influential figures like Rooney, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he responds to both criticism and injury challenges in the coming weeks.
