Wayne Rooney is confident Benjamin Sesko will soon be able to showcase his most prolific form in a Manchester United shirt following a quiet start to life at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils’ all-time record goalscorer has been able to spend more time analysing the club’s performances following his managerial exit from Plymouth Argyle last year, and has frequently been involved in punditry on United’s matches this season.
Prior to his stint with the Pilgrims, Rooney plyed his trade as a head coach with Birmingham City, DC United and Derby County. His time in the United States marked one of his more successful spells at the reins of a top side, although he eventually had his sights set on a return to England, being cherry-picked for the Birmingham vacancy.
Phil Neville, who, like Rooney, represented both United and Everton in his playing career, is now trying his hand in America with Portland Timbers, and recently crashed out of the MLS Cup play-offs via a 4-0 defeat to San Diego. For fans interested in the broader landscape, here’s how the latest MLS odds are shaping up for upcoming matches.
For United fans, it’s a breath of fresh air to see a club icon like Rooney rally behind a new signing, especially one who’s perhaps struggling to find his feet in the English top flight.
While undoubted legends in M16, the likes of Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Roy Keane are incredibly hard to please, and have been some of the more critical ex-players over the last few years of United’s struggles.
With Sesko, the pressure on his shoulders is greater than it likely would be with anyone else, as he made the move from RB Leipzig in a £74 million deal over the summer.
He has returned two Premier League goals in his first 11 appearances, which is a better return than his predecessor Rasmus Hojlund, who took until Boxing Day to open his account in the league during his first campaign as a Red.
The 22-year-old Slovenian is also not a nailed-on starter for Ruben Amorim; he’s been deployed from the off for six of the opening 11 matches and brought in from the bench in five games.
“I think with Benjamin Sesko, he’s going through a tough time currently, in terms of goals, but I think his overall play has been good,” said Rooney, as cited by the Metro.
“[Fellow United summer signing] Senne Lammens has come in and done well. He’s been more direct into Sesko, and what we’re seeing is his ability to hold the ball and link the play, which is better than Rasmus Hojlund.
“We’re seeing as the ball goes up to him, the forward players are running in behind as they know he’ll compete and win flick-ons.
“He’s been better than what people have been suggesting, but I think he needs to start scoring more. I think he’ll improve and come good for United.”
