Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand believes it will take Benjamin Sesko a little bit longer to settle into his new surroundings.
Manchester United signed five new players during the summer transfer window.
Ruben Amorim focused on strengthening the attacking department with signings like Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
The arrival of Sesko meant that Rasmus Hojlund’s days at Old Trafford were numbered. The Dane joined Serie A champions Napoli on loan until the end of the season, with an obligation clause included in the deal.
That means Sesko is the only recognised senior centre forward at United for the season ahead, although he has yet to start a game in the Premier League since joining from RB Leipzig.
Benjamin Sesko reacts during the Carabao Cup match between Grimsby Town and Manchester United at Blundell Park in 2025 in Grimsby, England.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
Benjamin Sesko needs time to settle at Man Utd
Amorim has been careful not to rush his new £74 million striker in at United.
Sesko’s only start came in United’s defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second round, although he is in line to start in the Manchester derby after featuring twice for Slovenia during the international break.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Sesko needs more time to get up to the speed with the Premier League.
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Ferdinand warns it could take at least a month before Sesko makes the position his own in Amorim’s line-up.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Ferdinand said: “He needs to get up to speed with the Premier League and that’s going to take at least a month before he can even start thinking he’s in a good enough position to put his best foot forward.
“Listen, he’s a young kid. He’s got huge potential, that’s not in doubt. But potential and proving it are two different things. It wouldn’t be right to say whether he can do it or not, time will be the biggest teller of all.”
Former coach compares Sesko and Erling Haaland
Former coach for Sesko and Erling Haaland has compared both strikers ahead of the Manchester derby on Sunday.
United fans have yet to see the best of Sesko, but they will hope he can open his goalscoring account for the club at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
Sesko played for RB Salzburg before joining Leipzig, as did Haaland before signing for Borussia Dortmund. They both played under Rene Aufhauser, who has spoken to Sky Sports ahead of the Manchester derby.
He said: “Erling Haaland, I will rate him 10 out of 10.
“I think Erling is [an] outstanding striker and Benji [Šeško], I think at the moment maybe he’s a nine, nine and a half out of 10. And he has potential. He will develop in the next one and two years, I’m sure.
“Erling reached his mark after his transfer from Dortmund to Man City and we will see. I am quite sure Benji will reach this mark after one or two years. But, of course, Erling is the top. He has 10 out of 10 from me.”