Benjamin Sesko’s Manchester United struggles continued on Saturday as he failed to impact the game before being subbed off with Rio Ferdinand offering some drastic advice
Rio Ferdinand claimed Benjamin Sesko may have to take a leaf out of Ruud van Nistelrooy‘s book and walk out of training if he wants his Manchester United team-mates to know what his demands are.
The Slovenian’s goalless start to life at Old Trafford continued on Saturday as he fired a blank against 10-man Chelsea. Sesko was hauled off at half-time, which was not a glowing assessment of his performance, with the striker largely ineffective during his time on the pitch.
Sesko was signed for £74million and that price tag is set to hang over him until he finds the back of the net. Ferdinand couldn’t believe his lack of involvement in what was a dominant first-half display for the Red Devils – in part owing to his lack of service.
READ MORE: Man Utd facing big Marcus Rashford issue as Barcelona eye new transfer agreementREAD MORE: Ruben Amorim sets record straight on Man Utd exit rumours and makes future plea
The ex-United defender said on his Rio Presents podcast: “In the first half, against 10 men, he’s had six touches. Six touches! I think the responsibility goes to the striker as well [as other players].
“In today’s game there’s enough at your disposal technology-wise and clip-wise that you can get it in black and white on the iPad and say to your team-mates, ‘You know when you got in that position, look where I am.'”
Ferdinand referenced scenarios where Amad, playing out wide, had the opportunity to find Sesko but didn’t.
As a result he’s recalled how Van Nistelrooy, who scored 150 times in Manchester, once walked off the training pitch when Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t cross him the ball to him and believes Sesko could benefit from a similar act.
He added: “It’s decision making in the final third that’s going to set him free or it isn’t, and he’s got to try and dictate to a lot of those players either through runs that make it so obvious or physically telling them after a game.
“They’re the type of conversations he has to have because I know Ruud [van Nistelrooy] was having that.
“I saw Ruud van Nistelrooy walk off the training field because Ronaldo did too many step overs and he wasn’t playing it when he wanted it. You’ve got to find it from somewhere to make your team-mates know, and that will be the making of him.”
Sesko arrived with a reputation as one of Europe’s best young strikers. He had impressed at RB Leipzig.
But so far in Manchester, Ruben Amorim has started him from the bench in three of his five games, albeit the 22-year-old has not furthered his case when he has started.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
