Manchester United may have grabbed a crucial win over Chelsea, but not everyone in red came out of the match with praise. Club legend Rio Ferdinand didn’t hold back in his criticism of striker Benjamin Sesko, whose underwhelming performance—especially in the first half against ten men—sparked concerns about his adaptation to Premier League football.
Ferdinand Disappointed with Sesko’s Minimal Impact
Despite United taking a 2-0 lead into halftime—thanks in part to Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez being sent off early—Sesko failed to capitalize on the advantage. The 20-year-old striker managed just six touches in the opening 45 minutes, a stat that left Ferdinand unimpressed.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said, “In the first half, against 10 men, he’s had six touches. Six touches!”He questioned the striker’s influence on the game, especially given the numerical superiority United had for much of the match.
Summer Spending Yet to Pay Off
United invested heavily during the summer transfer window, splashing around £200 million on attacking reinforcements including Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo. So far, only Mbeumo has found the net, with Cunha sidelined due to injury and Sesko struggling to make an impact.
New head coach Ruben Amorim, who is under pressure after a shaky start to the season, will be hoping his new recruits begin to justify their hefty price tags. While the victory over Chelsea was a much-needed boost, performances like Sesko’s show there’s still work to be done.
Casemiro Sees Red After Opening Goal; Bruno Adds Another
Goals from Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes gave United a commanding lead heading into halftime. However, the momentum shifted slightly when Casemiro was sent off just before the break, giving Chelsea a lifeline. Trevoh Chalobah pulled one back for the Blues in the 80th minute, setting up a tense finish, but United held on for the win.
Ferdinand Urges Sesko to Take Initiative
Ferdinand believes Sesko must do more than just wait for service—he needs to assert himself both on and off the pitch. “The responsibility goes to the striker as well,” Ferdinand explained, highlighting how players like Ruud van Nistelrooy used to demand more from teammates during and after games.
He referenced a moment from the Chelsea match where Amad Diallo had a chance to assist Sesko but opted to take a different route. According to Ferdinand, this is where communication and assertiveness could make all the difference for the young forward.
“You’ve got to find it from somewhere to make your teammates know [what you want], and that will be the making of him,” he added.
Outlook for Sesko and United’s Attack
With Cunha out injured and Mbeumo still settling, the pressure is mounting on Sesko to find form quickly. As United look to build momentum under Amorim, they’ll need their attacking trio to start clicking—something that Ferdinand suggests won’t happen unless Sesko becomes more vocal and demanding.
His development could be pivotal not just for United’s success this season, but also for his future as a top-level striker in the Premier League.
