[FromTheBench]

Yep I did have to double check myself but I remember it took him time to start looking like he was comfortable in premier league games...and we're talking about one of the best strikers to ever play in it, joining a team that had just won the league 3 years in a row.

Someone made the counter point that he scored twice on his debut...that was on the opening day, at home to a promoted side, playing for the defending champions. Sesko made his first league start 4 games in, away to Man City, playing for a team that finished 17th.

It's just a random comparison to show why it's dumb to write a player off before they've even had a chance to bed in. Especially when they are coming from a league where the demands are completely different.

Hojland is another. 16 goals yes, but it took him until boxing day to score ANY League goals at all. Isak at Newcastle - only 3 league goals until the middle of March in his first season. Tevez at West Ham I think had 1 goal until the last stretch of his first season.

Basically if he's trying to do the right things I'm prepared to give him time. I was the same with Hojlund but eventually after that good spell in his first season, he went from trying and struggling to just not impacting games at all.

I think the fact that Ekitike and Voltemade came from same Bundesliga and started firing and looking good straight away has put more pressure on him. Plus, Its more cut throat anyways these days.

Weird thing regarding physicality as some others posted is, that Sesko seems biggest and stronger of them all in terms of build.

 

[Carlsen19]

As someone posted - 3 goal involvements already - decent with holdup play and takes some nice touches. Why exactly is the jury out already?

Because aside from the tap ins, he hasn’t looked remotely dangerous. We spent an absolute fortune on the lad.

 

[BuzzKillington]

He's shown some good signs for me, whilst also being wildly inconsistent. The other two forwards have seemingly settled in very quickly, which obviously puts the spot light on Sesko instead. I think people need to get off his back and stay off it, hes made 10 appearances, half of which were as a sub. Theres a lot more to come from him, just need to be patient.

 

[The Cat]

Because aside from the tap ins, he hasn’t looked remotely dangerous. We spent an absolute fortune on the lad.

What about the headed assist which was important?

 

[Xaviboy]

Gary Breen was doing the co commentary on premier sports 2 in Ireland the weekend and he made good point in that in the last 10-15 mins of the game both Bruno and Casemiro put in 3 good crosses from cut backs and Sesko wasn't even in the box to get up for a header. He was dropping short on edge of box.

Chap with his height should be in the box to get up for the ball for crosses.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

Seems a bit crazy to me that there seems to be voices of discontent already around him.

He’s maybe not as involved in games as much as he should be or getting many shots off, but much like Rasmus there looks to be something there it’s just are we patient enough to wait for it to blossom.

Hopefully those in charge are more patient than some of the fans. We bought another young striker, a project. Let’s wait and see a the rest of the season before making any serious judgments.

 

[Adz_99]

United have scored 17 goals so far this season and Sesko has been an integral part of that. For comparison, 10 games in last season we had scored 9 goals.

 

[Walrus]

Multiple things can be true. It is possible to be disappointed by Sesko so far, but also to be content to give him time and expect him to come good.

This is largely my view.

 

[AjaxCunian]

The definition of him coming good seems different to everyone.

Some say he will be a Firmino type of striker, silent domination as Mbeumo/Cunha benefit of him, others say he will be an elite striker when he adjusts to the league (which he wasn't in the Bundesliga).

Might it be that some rate him higher than others, even if they are all "positive".

 

[Hammondo]

The definition of him coming good seems different to everyone.

Some say he will be a Firmino type of striker, silent domination as Mbeumo/Cunha benefit of him, others say he will be an elite striker when he adjusts to the league (which he wasn't in the Bundesliga).

Might it be that some rate him higher than others, even if they are all "positive".

I don't think he's at all a Firmino type.

 

[FrankDrebin]

I don't think he's at all a Firmino type.

Just wondering what type of forward player he reminds me of.

Various names pop up such as Delvecchio, Boksic, Trezeguet, Manduzic, Toni, Dzeko come to mind but they all had that doggedness and awareness in the area which I don't think Sesko has at the present time.

Then you have your Zlaten's or Giroud's but they've got that technical class, though Sesko does seem to have decent amount of composure outside the area.

Maybe someone like Morientes, Prso, Mateta or Llorente. Not a world beater by any stretch of the imagination but a honest rounded player who would consistently keep the opposion occupied and be a good outlet for the team, especially when going direct.

 

[Hammondo]

Just wondering what type of forward player he reminds me of.

Various names pop up such as Delvecchio, Boksic, Trezeguet, Manduzic, Toni, Dzeko come to mind but they all had that doggedness and awareness in the area which I don't think Sesko has at the present time.

Then you have your Zlaten's or Giroud's but they've got that technical class, though Sesko does seem to have decent amount of composure outside the area.

Maybe someone like Morientes, Prso, Mateta or Llorente. Not a world beater by any stretch of the imagination but a honest rounded player who would consistently keep the opposion occupied and be a good outlet for the team, especially when going direct.

It's difficult to say now because quite a few of the players you mentioned are pretty aggressive, and combative and Sesko isn't.

 

[FrankDrebin]

It's difficult to say now because quite a few of the players you mentioned are pretty aggressive, and combative and Sesko isn't.

Yep, that was Abit of a eye opener on Saturday I must admit.

He was aloof. Reminded me of Zirkzee funnily enough.

Still, there's a fair amount of people in the game that rate him extremely highly, potentially world class even.
Whereas I feel the majority of fans don't seem to have the same sentiment.

 

[croadyman]

He will get goals once he figures out how the team plays and how we figure out what he wants ..
He is functional.. he allows us to play forward.. can hold up the play..

Do you think that explains the lack of finding him

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I think he has 3 goal contributions in his last 4 games. What exactly are you guys expecting ?

While that output is definitely a positive after a barren start, and he’s shown glimpses of quality here and there, he’s also been extremely erratic in his all round play.

Let’s be clear here, he’s not some cheap punt. This is an expensive signing of a new starting number 9. We can’t have him taking loose touches, failing to retain possession and getting outfought by defenders, and it being ignored. There have to be some standards. Time and patience, of course, but it varies depending on the cost and role of the player.

 

[croadyman]

I don’t think he’s the striker we needed in the summer to be honest, however, I think he will come good for us at some point in his career.

Ideally we would have gone for a more experienced striker who was already at the top of his game, rather than a work in progress.

Yeah it's a pity we couldn't have signed an experienced striker who he could have learned from too

 

[Tallis]

While that output is definitely a positive after a barren start, and he’s shown glimpses of quality here and there, he’s also been extremely erratic in his all round play.

Let’s be clear here, he’s not some cheap punt. This is an expensive signing of a new starting number 9. We can’t have him taking loose touches, failing to retain possession and getting outfought by defenders, and it being ignored. There have to be some standards. Time and patience, of course, but it varies depending on the cost and role of the player.

He had a bad game against Forest. I don't think he has been bad at these things, generally speaking. Compilation below.

 

[Bondi77]

Yeah it's a pity we couldn't have signed an experienced striker who he could have learned from too

Who do you think we should have brought along with Sesko?

 

[DJ_21]

I think Neville is being very harsh on Sesko. He’s still young adapting to a new league and he hasn’t been that bad, he’s got a couple of goals. Meanwhile you have Isak that’s prem proven and doing very bad at Liverpool and cost over 100m.

 

[Tallis]

I think Neville is being very harsh on Sesko. He’s still young adapting to a new league and he hasn’t been that bad, he’s got a couple of goals. Meanwhile you have Isak that’s prem proven and doing very bad at Liverpool and cost over 100m.

Neville also made him a GBP80m player to pile on the pressure, when the fee is more like GBP66-67m. He cost a little more than half of what Isak cost.

 

[kouroux]

I think Neville is being very harsh on Sesko. He’s still young adapting to a new league and he hasn’t been that bad, he’s got a couple of goals. Meanwhile you have Isak that’s prem proven and doing very bad at Liverpool and cost over 100m.

However Isak's struggles, it has nothing with Sesko. I know we often use that logic to find hope in some form of future improvement. Personally I always separate the stats with the rest of the play.
There are positive signs but the biggest concern for me is the lack of physical assertion in battles. Aerially, he is very good, on the floor, is another entirely different situation.

 

[Bondi77]

He was rubbish on Saturday, he's also been good at times.

Who knows how he will work out. I think our fanbase is just traumatised by big money striker flops so nerves are high and patience is thin.

It is quite funny that if he scored a brace next week then the entire view on everything he's done so far would instantly change.

It is a game by game performance thread so it is obvious that should happen.

 

[Mike Smalling]

The overreaction to one bad performance is insane. He was really good vs. Brighton, and has looked sharp overall. Give me five of those performances in a row, and I'll be worried. Right now I'm more concerned with the teams inability to find him in the box with crosses. We have a 6'5" forward and barely ever try to use that as a weapon.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

It is a game by game performance thread so it is obvious that should happen.

I'm obviously referring to people making broad generalisations about him as a player opposed to discussing his most recent individual performance.

 

[hellhunter]

I'm obviously referring to people making broad generalisations about him as a player opposed to discussing his most recent individual performance.

I mean some people have seen him before he joined United. Not all of this is kneejerk based on a handful of games

 

[OverratedOpinion]

I mean some people have seen him before he joined United. Not all of this is kneejerk based on a handful of games

I'm sure, there are also loads and loads of people who just get panicky about new signings and see huge swings on emotions based on their last performance.

 

[Lyng]

The overreaction to one bad performance is insane. He was really good vs. Brighton, and has looked sharp overall. Give me five of those performances in a row, and I'll be worried. Right now I'm more concerned with the teams inability to find him in the box with crosses. We have a 6'5" forward and barely ever try to use that as a weapon.

To be honest his positioning in the box has been quite bad. Why is it always Case or Maguire on the end of those high crosses and never him.

 

[hellhunter]

I'm sure, there are also loads and loads of people who just get panicky about new signings and see huge swings on emotions based on their last performance.

Yeah for sure. Multiplied with every million paid for a player. Not saying all reactions here are rational

 

[Whitey22]

See Nevilles on his case and piling the pressure on. No settling in period or adjusting to the league for Sesko.

I remember the days players were given months or a season to fully settle rather than 6 games.

 

[Bondi77]

I'm obviously referring to people making broad generalisations about him as a player opposed to discussing his most recent individual performance.

If posters are making broad generalisations about him as a player then why would it change if he just scored two goals in one game?

 

[Reds Under The Bed]

Neville also made him a GBP80m player to pile on the pressure, when the fee is more like GBP66-67m. He cost a little more than half of what Isak cost.

Turncoat Gary Neville putting the boot into someone from United... Whatever next?

 

[Bondi77]

See Nevilles on his case and piling the pressure on. No settling in period or adjusting to the league for Sesko.

I remember the days players were given months or a season to fully settle rather than 6 games.

Neville knows more attention is generated by negativity than positivity when it comes to Utd and he has to be relevant.

 

[flameinthesun]

He's a young striker who was bought for £70 odd mil, to replace another young striker who was bought for £60/70 odd mil. Success is Sesko having a better first season than Rasmus's first season in terms of general performances but also in terms of goals as Rasmus's figures in his first season wasn't out of this world. If he performs equally or worse then he will be a disappointment which I think is fair as the whole point of getting him is that he would be an improvement on Rasmus.

So far nearly a third of the season in I'd say he has done between okay and slightly disappointing. Doesn't really seem much of a goal threat, doesn't really provide good movement. However, on the other hand he has a bit more presence than Rasmus but not enough to really stand out and has decent feet (but Rasmus also showed at times that he had decent feet). I think at this time in Rasmus's first season he hadn't scored in the league but had scored some good goals in the champions league and id say had shown more attacking intent than Sesko.

Hopefully he improves and gains confidence. I also think for a system that helped Gyokeres to score bucket loads, it doesn't seem to be benefitting our strikers in terms of creating chances for them.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

If posters are making broad generalisations about him as a player then why would it change if he just scored two goals in one game?

Because the broad generalisations are based on very limited and fickle evidence and more so based in a sense of pessimism and led by silly online culture about everything being instant.

 

[Zed is not dead]

Funny how we are witnessing almost the same issues we had saw with Hojlund, ie maybe not enough service, not at the end of crosses and so on, yet we still think it is because of the profile of the player up top.

It seems very clear now that this is how the team is setup where the central striker is not the focal point of our attack. We’re not set up to have a striker score 30 goals and be at the end of every attacking sequence.

So far he’s shown he was good at ball retention, manages to flick a couple headers and not a bad finisher. He’ll score a dozen goals, make a few assists, and it’s good as long as the 10s are scoring too

 

[windycityfan]

Funny how we are witnessing almost the same issues we had saw with Hojlund, ie maybe not enough service, not at the end of crosses and so on, yet we still think it is because of the profile of the player up top.

It seems very clear now that this is how the team is setup where the central striker is not the focal point of our attack. We’re not set up to have a striker score 30 goals and be at the end of every attacking sequence.

So far he’s shown he was good at ball retention, manages to flick a couple headers and not a bad finisher. He’ll score a dozen goals, make a few assists, and it’s good as long as the 10s are scoring too

This, exactly this. United’s attack is nowhere near close to run through the striker- it hasn’t even since prime Martial, and certainly won’t in this system and with the midfield we have.

What I’d like to see him do is getting more involved the way Ekitike does, certainly more aerially. But the team is “clicking” its most since 2022-23 so let’s allow the game to come to him.

Screw Gary Neville. Just when you can finally be positive about the squad he finds something to pick at.

 

[L1nk]

Funny how we are witnessing almost the same issues we had saw with Hojlund, ie maybe not enough service, not at the end of crosses and so on, yet we still think it is because of the profile of the player up top.

It seems very clear now that this is how the team is setup where the central striker is not the focal point of our attack. We’re not set up to have a striker score 30 goals and be at the end of every attacking sequence.

So far he’s shown he was good at ball retention, manages to flick a couple headers and not a bad finisher. He’ll score a dozen goals, make a few assists, and it’s good as long as the 10s are scoring too

The thing about this is, and yes maybe he's tweaked it since, but Amorim's system has consistently showed the opposite. Gyokeres got high numbers clearly cause he played in Portugal, but it also shows that alot of it did go through him. The difference to me seems to be the imbalance we have in the team in terms of player profiles.

Our attack is entirely right sided currently, which is why it was a struggle against Forest when we had Dalot on the left and they had Anderson man marking Mbeumo. We seem to be running everything, mainly, through Amad and Mbeumo when possible for the time being.

 

[Bondi77]

Because the broad generalisations are based on very limited and fickle evidence and more so based in a sense of pessimism and led by silly online culture about everything being instant.

Better off being optimistic and wrong I say!

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

The supply lines are still awful. Making him inevitably look likw his faring worse than he is.

 

[noodlehair]

I think the fact that Ekitike and Voltemade came from same Bundesliga and started firing and looking good straight away has put more pressure on him. Plus, Its more cut throat anyways these days.

Weird thing regarding physicality as some others posted is, that Sesko seems biggest and stronger of them all in terms of build.

Its different scenarios and situations though, and its not just about individual goal contributions either, but ultimately you can't judge a striker movig to a completely different league based on about 6 games. You can't even judge teams on that small a sample of games. Depending on which 6 you picked for Liverpool they are either the best or worst team in the league. People just need to be more patient.

Height or size doesn't always = physicality. You still have to build up the strength and learn how to position your bodyweight, go into the challenge with the right level of aggression etc. Suarez wasn't "built" physically for example, but he loved a scrap, so it came naturally to him. He'd be the one instigating it regardless of what league he played in. Where as Sesko just blatantly looks like someone who's not yet used to havng to play that way.