Benjamin Sesko has got into the habit of scoring goals for Manchester United, which should be enough to earn him praise, but he has instead attracted needlessly harsh comments from Gary Neville.
Rasmus Hojlund is a perfect example of a young striker who signed for Manchester United without any Premier League experience, only to struggle with being the only recognised centre-forward in the squad during his first two seasons because Anthony Martial spent most of his initial campaign out injured.
To replace Hojlund, after the Dane joined Napoli on loan this season, United signed a striker of a similar age. Again, with no Premier League experience.
Will Benjamin Sesko WIN the “Sesko vs Hojlund” debate?
Is there even a debate to be had or has he already won it?
Benjamin Sesko shots on target vs Burnley compared to Rasmus Hojlund's shots on target in 2024/25 season
Benjamin Sesko shots on target vs Burnley compared to Rasmus Hojlund’s shots on target in 2024/25 season
The jury is still out as to whether Sesko is the right striker for United, but it’s still early days in his career. At least Sesko has shown encouraging signs since Michael Carrick returned to the club as head coach in January.
Benjamin Sesko celebrates winning goal against Everton
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Gary Neville’s Benjamin Sesko assessment is nonsensical
Gary Neville is still not convinced about Sesko despite scoring two late goals to secure four points in the last two Premier League games against Everton and West Ham.
Sesko, who cost United a £74 million transfer fee to sign from RB Leipzig, has scored eight goals across all competitions this season and is in the process of earning a spot in Carrick’s line-up.
Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast after United’s win over Everton, Neville said: “He looked a bit awkward but we saw [Viktor] Gyokeres yesterday and I thought it was his best performance of the season for Arsenal.
More United News
“At times, he’s been below par and tried to get up to speed. I think Sesko’s been like that at times during this season. But he looks a lot more confident. I don’t think he is ever going to be the perfect striker, similar like I said about Gyokeres.
“But if he can be a handful, if he can contribute with goals, if he can hold things up, if he can link play then that’ll be enough.”
Neville’s comments are not only needlessly harsh, but they are also complete gobbledygook; the perfect striker he describes simply doesn’t exist in the Premier League.
While Erling Haaland is widely recognised as the league’s best striker, even the Norwegian possesses weaknesses that leave him far from the flawless archetype Neville envisions.
The former United captain is imagining a mythical striker who can do it all: elite link-up play, a superior first touch to hold the ball, the tactical intelligence and drive to drop deep like Wayne Rooney, and the raw pace to run in behind while bullying defenders in the air.
I would argue that Sesko is the ideal fit for United right now because he is demonstrating the exact attitude and application required of a player fighting for his place. There’s nothing wrong with that as he’s now chipping in with goals along with Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha.
Benjamin Sesko’s turnaround has been pretty stunning! Should he start the next game?
Neville should recognise that at just 22 years old, Sesko needs time to adapt his game and adjust to his role at United. Comparing him to Viktor Gyokeres, who is 27, is utterly nonsensical.
Thankfully, Sesko has plenty of time on his side to prove Neville and other critics wrong.
Gary Neville previously compared Rasmus Hojlund to Erling Haaland
Neville was guilty of getting ahead of himself on February 19, 2024, after United beat Luton Town 2-1 in the Premier League.
Hojlund’s early double proved enough to secure United three points, with the first goal coming after 37 seconds. The second was scored with seven minutes on the clock.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, Neville claimed that Hojlund looked like the second coming of Haaland.
“Hojlund looked like – and I didn’t say it on commentary… he looked like a Haaland in the making.
“Just power, strength and that aggression in his running. I really love that in a Manchester United centre forward. I’ve always liked it.”
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox