Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer both admitted Benjamin Sesko was ‘starved of any real service’ during Manchester United’s heavy 3-0 loss to Manchester City.
The Slovenia international made his first Premier League start in a United shirt on Sunday but delivered a forgettable performance, registering just one shot on goal in his 80 minutes on the field.
Sesko’s only opportunity came early in the first half, when he was sent running at City’s goal and chipped his shot straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma, who closed the gap before the Slovenian could sniff his first Premier League goal.
Lineker said he ‘felt’ for Sesko watching him against City, as the 22-year-old had almost no chances in front of goal, despite United registering 12 shots, two of which were on target.
Lineker and Shearer: Sesko Lacked Service
benjamin sesko-1
Shearer, speaking on The Rest is Football, said Sesko must have been disappointed with the lack of service in United’s 3-0 defeat to City, having managed just one shot on goal during his 80 minutes on the pitch:
“But I also look at Sesko, because obviously I’ve been in that position, and he had that one shot early, very, very early on in the game.
“Other than that, he must be thinking, any danger? Any chance of giving me something here? Something to go after, some crosses?”
Lineker agreed with Shearer’s view and said he watched Sesko specifically for much of the game, praising the 22-year-old for his agility:
“He was absolutely starved of any real service. He went through once where he broke the offside trap and the keeper blocked his shot.
“But he does look quick as well for a big guy. I watched him specifically for a lot of the game, as much as you can when you're watching TV, rather than being at the game.
“And his movement, he's making dart in runs, but the ball... I felt for him a little bit. I mean, it's tough when you're not getting any service.”
Sesko made just 19 touches of the ball, completed 7 of 13 passes (54%), won three of his nine duels and committed one foul before being replaced by Joshua Zirkzee in the final 10 minutes.
The Slovenia international is yet to score or assist for United after five appearances, with his first start coming in the shock EFL Cup second-round defeat to Grimsby Town.
United signed Sesko from RB Leipzig last month in a deal worth £73.7m, with the 22-year-old penning a five-year contract at Old Trafford.
Sesko had also been a target for Newcastle before choosing the Red Devils, with Eddie Howe’s side turning to Nick Woltemade, who scored on his Premier League debut on Saturday to secure a 1-0 win over Wolves.