Ruben Amorim did not give Manchester United star Benjamin Sesko priority off the bench vs Burnley
Manchester United’s match was nothing short of a rollercoaster against Burnley at Old Trafford. United were under pressure after the Grimsby Cup defeat, but started well and Josh Cullen’s own goal put the team ahead. However, Matheus Cunha’s injury disrupted the momentum, and Burnley tried to come back.
Lyle Foster equalised in the second half, but Bryan Mbeumo immediately put Amorim’s team ahead again. However, the story didn’t end here. Altay Bayindir’s mistake led to Jaidon Anthony scoring to make it 2-2. In the last moments, VAR caught a foul on Amad Diallo, and Bruno Fernandes sealed the win with a penalty. Amorim later said that Manchester United were the better team in this match.
Amorim’s decision on Sesko:
After the win against Burnley, Amorim explained the reason for bringing Benjamin Sesko on the field late. He said that Sesko played the entire 90 minutes in the Grimsby match and suffered from cramps at the end. Due to this, he did not take any risk and gave Joshua Zirkzee a chance first, even when Cunha was injured. Amorim also said that Sesko’s pre-season was not complete, and he did not want any more trouble given Mount’s injury situation. Meanwhile, amidst all the pressure, Bryan Mbeumo supported Amorim and said that this victory would give the team the right direction.
Sesko’s usage so far:
Ruben Amorim did not giving Manchester United star Benjamin Sesko priority off the bench vsBurnley.
Amorim defends holding back Sesko, citing fitness concerns and careful integration into the squad.
Amorim has gradually included Sesko in the team from the beginning. He has not got a start in the Premier League so far, and he has mostly come as a substitute. Amorim played the Slovenian the entire match against Grimsby in the cup match, but fatigue was clearly visible. The 40-year-old said that the pace of the Premier League is different from the Bundesliga and Sesko needs time to adjust. Despite this, Amorim described him as a football fanatic and hoped to retain him as a striker for the long term.
“So he finished the [Grimsby] game with cramps, really in the limit. That’s why we protected Ben from the penalties.”
“And today was that reason also, because (Joshua) Zirkzee is also a striker, he’s an international striker. But I was thinking that Ben, during the pre-season, he didn’t do 90 minutes.”
“And he did that, even against a division four team, he did that on Wednesday. And with the problem of Cunha, you don’t know if that full game in the middle of the week has something to do with the injury today.”
“With the problem with Mason Mount (injury), I was not risking another player, not knowing if they are able to play so many minutes. So everything was connected. The penalty, the game on Wednesday, and the number of minutes that I was thinking to put Ben today.”
“Manchester United was the better team in the 3-2 win against Burnley.”
Quote via: Manchester Evening News
Opinion: Amorim’s approach is correct or confusing?
We think Amorim’s decision is understandable, but it also raises questions. Benching a striker who was bought for £66m is a sign that the manager is still not fully confident. Yes, cramps and fitness can be a concern, but if that was the reason, then playing him for a full 90 minutes at Grimsby seems a little odd. If a player is tired, then constantly sitting him out is even more confusing.
Sesko has the aerial power, the goal-scoring ability and the makings of a goal-scoring striker. If he is given opportunities too slowly, his confidence may wane. At this age, a striker needs constant opportunities, or he may crumble under pressure. Amorim may be trying to protect him from injury, but if this process drags on, the damage will be greater.
Manchester United have finally won their first league match, and Amorim is relieved. But Sesko needs to be used consistently in future matches; otherwise, this expensive deal will be half-hearted. It is time for United to show the club trusts the new striker by giving him real responsibility. This move will prove to be right for both the team’s future and Sesko’s development.