Wayne Rooney revealed his telling first impressions of Benjamin Sesko after the new Manchester United striker made his debut performance against Arsenal on Sunday.
Benjamin Sesko was named on the Manchester United bench for the Red Devils’ 2025-26 Premier League opener against Arsenal at Old Trafford on the weekend.
Ruben Amorim opted to start the Premier League match with Mason Mount as a false nine for United, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo on either side of him.
"The most important thing – we were not boring!"
Ruben Amorim assesses what his Manchester United side did well against Arsenal 🔎 pic.twitter.com/IjsNil01Sr
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Mason Mount would make way in the second half after an impressive first-half display and United manager Ruben Amorim brought Sesko on in his place.
Sesko’s performance caught the eye of United fans after he came off the bench in the 65th minute and played 25 minutes in his Red Devils debut for the club.
However, not even the 22-year-old Slovenian forward could rescue a Premier League point for his side after United slipped to a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
READ MORE: ‘No, it’s a fight’… Ruben Amorim breaks silence on two key Man Utd players after Arsenal result, his stance is clear
Benjamin Sesko during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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What Wayne Rooney saw from three Man Utd players vs Arsenal before breaking down Benjamin Sesko’s performance
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show for BBC Sport, the 39-year-old Manchester United legend talked up the many “positives” that he found from the Arsenal match.
Wayne Rooney admitted that he was impressed with Matheus Cunha’s United performance against Arsenal and praised his “freedom and creativity” on the ball.
The former United captain also felt that Bryan Mbeumo came ‘in and out of the match,’ while Rooney talked up Amad Diallo’s arrival on the pitch from the bench.
“Yeah, obviously, disappointed in the result, but I think there was lots of positives within the game,” Rooney said.
“I think Cunha looked fantastic. I love the way he picked the ball up and he was driving at players.
“You know, being… playing with the freedom and creativity which maybe has been lacking in the last few years.
“I thought Amad when he come on was again fantastic. We know what he can do.
“Mbeumo was in and out of the game; I felt he started really well, come out [of] it for a little bit. But then come back into it.”
READ MORE: Ruben Amorim argues two Man Utd stars in ‘one moment’ can ‘elevate’ entire stadium, he saw it first-hand vs Arsenal
Wayne Rooney explains his true feelings about Benjamin Sesko’s Man Utd debut vs Arsenal at Old Trafford
Benjamin Sesko arrived at United earlier this month and was unveiled to United fans ahead of the final pre-season summer match against Fiorentina at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils beat Newcastle in the race to sign the Slovenia striker, with United’s deal for Sesko involving an initial £66.3m transfer fee to land him from RB Leipzig.
Rooney admitted that Sesko did what was expected of him during his 25-minute United cameo and he was one of the “positives” for Ruben Amorim from the match.
“And Sesko when he come on, I think he done what we expect him to do,” he continued.
“He held the ball up, he put himself in the middle of the goal and he was waiting to try and get chances, so I think there’s lot of positives.”
Following United’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford, the Red Devils will resume their 2025-26 Premier League season at Craven Cottage on Sunday against Fulham.