Amorim backs meticulous Sesko to ride out Man United storm
Big fee, big spotlight, big pressure — and a young striker learning the hard way at Old Trafford. Ruben Amorim has lifted the lid on Benjamin Sesko’s early teething troubles at Manchester United, calling him a meticulous personality who craves control and is still adjusting to the heat of the Premier League.
The price tag and the growing pains
United paid around £74m to prise Sesko from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal, and it’s clear why they did: 39 goals in 87 outings in Germany and the standout scorer among players 23 or under across Europe’s top five leagues. That pedigree doesn’t disappear, but through 10 Premier League matches he’s managed just two goals — a lean return for a centre-forward expected to bully defences from the off.
Punditry pressure and the Forest flashpoint
The scrutiny went up a notch after last week’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, when Gary Neville questioned Sesko’s sharpness and suggested he looked awkward at times, arguing United should be seeing more from a signing of this size and citing how other summer forwards in the league, like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, have hit the ground running.
Amorim’s message: breathe, learn, and stick at it
Amorim, speaking ahead of Saturday’s test against Tottenham, struck a calm tone. In essence, he’s chilled; Sesko isn’t. The manager believes a perfectionist streak is making the transition tougher — the striker wants everything on a string — but insists that the noise from legends, pundits and the media is part of the gig at a club of this size. The trick, he says, is recognising that opinions swing wildly and keeping the self-belief intact while the form catches up.
Faith after Liverpool and the long view
It tallies with what we heard in October: Amorim’s faith in Sesko didn’t waver after a strong showing against Liverpool. He doubled down again this week, promising protection for a hard-working player he views as United’s long-term No 9. There’ll be bumps in the road as he syncs with the team’s patterns, but the boss is convinced the end product will justify the patience.
My take: service, simplicity, and a bit of steel
This isn’t rocket science. Give Sesko quicker service, play to his runs early, and keep him between the posts where he’s most dangerous. He’s 22, new to the league, and carrying a price-tag that could weigh down a veteran. If United back his strengths and cut the fuss, the goals will follow — likely sooner than the critics think.
If you’re weighing up the narrative around United’s No 9 — and the wider markets that swirl around the Premier League — have a look at the best betting sites for perspective. But the only stake that matters inside Carrington is patience and a proper plan for a young striker finding his feet.
The bottom line
Sesko’s start has been uneven, yes, but Amorim’s stance is spot on: accept the turbulence, keep the kid confident, and let the football do the talking. Tottenham on Saturday offers another step on that journey — not a verdict on it.
