Sesko’s Stark Test: Amorim Defends United’s Young Striker Amid Mounting Pressure

Amorim’s candid assessment

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim acknowledged that Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko has faced a difficult patch since arriving at Old Trafford last summer, while making clear his full faith in the player’s ability to overcome it and succeed in the Premier League.

Amorim’s remarks came in response to sharp criticism from former England defender Gary Neville, who suggested Sesko had not yet shown the necessary edge and ambition on the pitch.

Since joining United from RB Leipzig for about £73.7 million, Sesko has tallied only two goals in 11 appearances, a statistic that has unsettled fans and analysts alike.

During the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest, the young forward appeared well below his best, touching the ball just 21 times, prompting Neville to say he wants to see more and described his movement in the box as unsettled.

Amorim on the criticism: it’s not personal

In a pre-match press conference ahead of a fixture with Tottenham, Amorim stated that nobody enjoys such talk, but it’s a reality that must be accepted. Sesko has faced some rough times since the move, and that’s a fact. People’s opinions change quickly in football, and what’s said today can be forgotten in a few weeks. United will back Sesko and protect him because he works very hard, and Amorim is confident he will succeed.

He also noted that Sesko might have chosen the most demanding club in Europe in terms of media and fan pressure, stressing that moving to Manchester United is a massive challenge, especially when you arrive hailed as Europe’s next big thing and immediately faced with high expectations.

Amorim added that he is a calm person who understands football’s nature, but the challenge is harder for Sesko. The forward is still young and lacks English top-flight experience. When goals don’t come or performances dip, criticism from club legends, pundits, and the media follows. Some criticism is fair, but the key lies in how the player handles it.

Amorim finished with a note of confidence: Sesko will be United’s striker for years to come. He will encounter setbacks, as all young players do, but that is entirely normal in a career. What matters is his character and resolve to overcome them.

Sesko’s journey: from Domžale to the Premier League

Benjamin Sesko is widely regarded as one of Slovenia’s brightest football talents, boasting a rare blend of pace, physicality, and sharpness inside the box that makes him resemble a more developed version of Erling Haaland in the Red Bull system.

Born on May 31, 2003, in Domžale, Slovenia, Sesko began his career at the local club’s academy, where his goalscoring instinct quickly drew the attention of scouts across Europe.

In 2019, he joined Red Bull Salzburg, part of the project known for developing rising stars, and was loaned to Liefering, the reserve side, where he began to shine with prolific scoring that put his name on Europe’s radar.

Emergence in Austria and Germany

In the 2021-22 season, Sesko earned first-team opportunities at RB Salzburg and soon proved he could finish attacks efficiently, scoring more than 30 goals across competitions over two seasons.

He then moved in the summer of 2023 to RB Leipzig in Germany to continue within the Red Bull family but at a higher level of competition. There, he tallied 18 goals in all competitions, demonstrating his adaptability to the Bundesliga’s rigor and high pace, which put him on the radar of Europe’s top clubs.

Big-money deal and big hopes

In the summer of 2025, Manchester United announced the signing of Sesko for around £73.7 million, a bold bet on his future. Despite a tough start at Old Trafford, critics see him as a complete forward capable of leading United’s attack for years to come.

Leader of a new generation in Slovenia

On the international stage, Sesko has represented Slovenia since 2021, scoring decisive goals in European qualifiers and becoming one of the pillars of a new generation for his national team. He is known for a calm demeanor and humility off the pitch, which has earned him respect from teammates and coaches alike.

Despite the pressure he now faces at United, his rising trajectory and strong self-belief position him as one of the most promising forwards to lead Slovenia and Europe in the near future.

Unshaken confidence

Amorim recognizes Sesko’s early days in a high-pressure environment, but believes time will restore balance. The Slovenian striker who rose rapidly from Domžale to Old Trafford has all the ingredients for success; he simply needs patience and perseverance until criticism turns into applause.

Punchline: If patience were a striker, Sesko would be scoring while sipping a latte.

Punchline 2: If critics were defenders, United would get a hundred corners—Sesko would still be onside when the ball lands.