[OverratedOpinion]

He has some work to do settling in but he has shown quite a bit in link up play, he also has 3 goal contributions in 600 minutes in the league which is far from terrible for a young striker settling in to a new league.

Work to do but lots of raw materials and I'm excited to see how he develops.

I also think we need to get better at actually using a centre forward but that's another conversation.

 

[Lentwood]

I am not worried about Sesko at all. The problem he will have is the media are going to be all over him for his goals tally, but that isn't his primary role in the team. The main thing is that he brings Cunha and Mbuemo into the game, and gets the team up the pitch - something Hojlund was really bad at.

I have actually been really impressed with his hold-up play and his technical ability + his obvious aerial prowess. He could be a bit sharper infront of goal but so far I am seeing exactly what I expected to see from him.

Personally see him as a 12-15 goal man who's main contribution is to be the 'pivot' around which our direct attacks evolve.

 

[AjaxCunian]

I am not worried about Sesko at all. The problem he will have is the media are going to be all over him for his goals tally, but that isn't his primary role in the team. The main thing is that he brings Cunha and Mbuemo into the game, and gets the team up the pitch - something Hojlund was really bad at.

I have actually been really impressed with his hold-up play and his technical ability + his obvious aerial prowess. He could be a bit sharper infront of goal but so far I am seeing exactly what I expected to see from him.

Personally see him as a 12-15 goal man who's main contribution is to be the 'pivot' around which our direct attacks evolve.

Think everyone has very different expectations of which striker he will be, he's definitely an improvement on Hojlund and Zirkzee though. Think everyone would agree on that.

 

[AjaxCunian]

Like you I actually followed Sesko for a while to and was excited at the prospect of us getting him at one point, because it seemed almost inevitable, and I won't lie I was excited at us getting him this summer. So far he hasn't disappointed me in terms of what he's brought overall and i'm willing to give the guy the rest of the season to show what he can do.

I guess the question is when you look at the market, very experienced players aside, because it looks like the club are obviously going for the under 25 youth bracket for longevity when it comes to a striker, do you see anyone that fits the bill and would be attainable? Maybe its just me but the day of the explosive goal getting forwards - outliers like Haaland aside - are either rare to non existant anymore, or are players of days gone by like Kane who won't have much longer left at the top and we're unlikely to commit to short termism like that.

Like it just feels empty? I guess that is the word, in comparison to the era of the strikers you listed in your post, where they seemed to be in abundance and you didn't necessarily have to fork out 60-80 million on the likes of a Sesko, or a Hojlund, and so on.

He will get at least two seasons imo, and don't think we should sell. But he's no dead cert for me personally, our definite no 9 for the coming years.

There is a huge dearth in exciting strikers in that age category definitely, some interesting strikers of older age. Might take some time later to draft a list.

 

[Matt851]

I am not worried about Sesko at all. The problem he will have is the media are going to be all over him for his goals tally, but that isn't his primary role in the team. The main thing is that he brings Cunha and Mbuemo into the game, and gets the team up the pitch - something Hojlund was really bad at.

I have actually been really impressed with his hold-up play and his technical ability + his obvious aerial prowess. He could be a bit sharper infront of goal but so far I am seeing exactly what I expected to see from him.

Personally see him as a 12-15 goal man who's main contribution is to be the 'pivot' around which our direct attacks evolve.

This is all very reminiscent if how people used to say antony didn't need to score goals or assist because he was making the pitch bigger and offering the team balance. Hopefully he will improve given its early days but haven't seen that much to indicate he is anything more than passable in terms of his link play.

I do find it hard to see he has the attributes to be an unpolished diamond who can develop into a top player

 

[Ekeke]

This is all very reminiscent if how people used to say antony didn't need to score goals or assist because he was making the pitch bigger and offering the team balance. Hopefully he will improve given its early days but haven't seen that much to indicate he is anything more than passable in terms of his link play.

I do find it hard to see he has the attributes to be an unpolished diamond who can develop into a top player

Its not though because there is a very visible effect on other players. Antony didnt have that. Cunha and Mbeumo have looked much better with Sesko as a target for them to play off of. Individually Mount has come in and had a few games in a front 3 with Cunha and Mbeumo where Mount individually has looked pretty good (though its still just 1 goal in the league and 1 assist in the league cup...) but in those matches Cunha looks a lot worse playing as the striker and Mbeumo doesn't look as dangerous because he doesnt have Sesko's flicked headers and holdup play to bring him into attacking moves

He clearly makes us better even if he has 2 goals in 6 premier league starts. And sure we're hoping he'll be better than a 1 in 3 striker but its his first 6 games in the best league in the world at 22 years old. Give him a chance.

 

[Matt851]

Its not though because there is a very visible effect on other players. Antony didnt have that. Cunha and Mbeumo have looked much better with Sesko as a target for them to play off of. Individually Mount has come in and had a few games in a front 3 with Cunha and Mbeumo where Mount individually has looked pretty good (though its still just 1 goal in the league and 1 assist in the league cup...) but in those matches Cunha looks a lot worse playing as the striker and Mbeumo doesn't look as dangerous because he doesnt have Sesko's flicked headers and holdup play to bring him into attacking moves

He clearly makes us better even if he has 2 goals in 6 premier league starts. And sure we're hoping he'll be better than a 1 in 3 striker but its his first 6 games in the best league in the world at 22 years old. Give him a chance.

I agree cunhas best position isn't up front and it's gold to have a focal point in attack but not sure you have had made much of a case for sesko having shown great aptitude in linking play beyond him winning a few headers. Sure he will get better but not seeing much to indicate he has the level of talent you wpjld expect given his fee

 

[Ekeke]

I agree cunhas best position isn't up front and it's gold to have a focal point in attack but not sure you have had made much of a case for sesko having shown great aptitude in linking play beyond him winning a few headers. Sure he will get better but not seeing much to indicate he has the level of talent you wpjld expect given his fee

Its 6 starts at 22 years old and he had no preseason. He's barely played with his teammates, barely played in this league and I'm not sure what you're expecting before he's even had 10 starts

 

[AjaxCunian]

Its not though because there is a very visible effect on other players. Antony didnt have that. Cunha and Mbeumo have looked much better with Sesko as a target for them to play off of. Individually Mount has come in and had a few games in a front 3 with Cunha and Mbeumo where Mount individually has looked pretty good (though its still just 1 goal in the league and 1 assist in the league cup...) but in those matches Cunha looks a lot worse playing as the striker and Mbeumo doesn't look as dangerous because he doesnt have Sesko's flicked headers and holdup play to bring him into attacking moves

He clearly makes us better even if he has 2 goals in 6 premier league starts. And sure we're hoping he'll be better than a 1 in 3 striker but its his first 6 games in the best league in the world at 22 years old. Give him a chance.

Mbeumo doesn't need Sesko, come on. He was one of the leagues best players at Brentfor with a short striker partnering him in the form of Wissa.

He's played nearly 7 matches worth of minutes, and every goal is important for a striker but wouldn't say his goals so far ooze elite talent or class.

He'll ofcourse be able to scare the rare tap in here and there, and those are very important over the season but we need him ultimately to make a difference with his class versus much tougher opponents when we can't create much for him.

So far vs Liverpool he did well to create for Cunha, and vs Spurs he did well with his movement for those two chances.

 

[Zed is not dead]

Think everyone has very different expectations of which striker he will be, he's definitely an improvement on Hojlund and Zirkzee though. Think everyone would agree on that.

Agreed on the expectations

I’d just like to point out the last time we had a central striker at the end of our every moves and scored a lot was Cristiano Ronaldo’s second stint with us and this place went about how he prevented us from playing football.

A 10-15 goals striker is good enough IF the other attackers can also score. And that’s the problem we had in recent years. We had (and still have to some extent) a game based mostly on our wide players scoring goals, which they failed to do and we all blamed the strikers for it

 

[Ekeke]

Mbeumo doesn't need Sesko, come on. He was one of the leagues best players at Brentfor with a short striker partnering him in the form of Wissa.

He's played nearly 7 matches worth of minutes, and every goal is important for a striker but wouldn't say his goals so far ooze elite talent or class.

He'll ofcourse be able to scare the rare tap in here and there, and those are very important over the season but we need him ultimately to make a difference with his class versus much tougher opponents when we can't create much for him.

So far vs Liverpool he did well to create for Cunha, and vs Spurs he did well with his movement for those two chances.

I'm talking about Mbeumo for us based on what hes done so far and yes Wissa and Damsgaard were great players helping to bring him into play for Brentford too.

We've already seen results from Sesko flicking headers for Mbeumo to run onto leading to chances and Sesko holding up the ball and playing Mbeumo into good attacking positions against Sunderland and Brighton





While Sesko has missed some of his chances, Mbeumo has also not made the most of the balls he's been given by Sesko. So when Mbeumo is in even better form it'll be a more dangerous combo

 

[gaffs]

Its 6 starts at 22 years old and he had no preseason. He's barely played with his teammates, barely played in this league and I'm not sure what you're expecting before he's even had 10 start

Why have Ekitike and Woltemade looked so much better? Both from the same league, with similar age, experience and in the case of Woltemade, signed three weeks later, so less of a pre-season with Newcastle ?

Its not like Newcastle or Liverpool are playing great, but both players are doing well.

 

[Damon1559]

Just reading through the comments, this forum really does display the worst side of our fan base. You go into a United pub and you’ll have real fans wanting to support the club and the players, on here it’s full of absolute plastics just ready to throw the toys out the pram and tear players apart.

If I could be arsed I’d be keen to see the same joke posters on about Rashford, McT, Hojlund etc yet apparently we fecked it letting players leave.

The most pathetic attitude. Shut the feck up man.

Exactly! Most of the takes in here are pathetic. Who needs enemies/rivals when you have fans like ours? Genuinely embarrassing!

 

[Matt851]

Why have Ekitike and Woltemade looked so much better? Both from the same league, with similar age, experience and in the case of Woltemade, signed three weeks later, so less of a pre-season with Newcastle ?

Its not like Newcastle or Liverpool are playing great, but both players are doing well.

Even ignoring goals and assists so far they both just look like much better footballers

 

[Matt851]

Exactly! Most of the takes in here are pathetic. Who needs enemies/rivals when you have fans like ours? Genuinely embarrassing!

What kind of person comes on a forum which is all about debate and gets upset people have opinions?

 

[Ekeke]

Why have Ekitike and Woltemade looked so much better? Both from the same league, with similar age, experience and in the case of Woltemade, signed three weeks later, so less of a pre-season with Newcastle ?

Its not like Newcastle or Liverpool are playing great, but both players are doing well.

They're both a year older, they're not in and out of the team and they had preseason I assume? Despite this Ekitike has 1 more league goal

I rate both of them too. Although do keep in mind the first half of last season Woltemade was struggling after moving on a free transfer the summer before. He went on a great streak at the end of the season scoring goals and he's started this season scoring goals but dont be surprised if the streak ends in the first half of this season and he's not scoring goals in the 2nd half of the season. Sesko is a bit streaky as well but Woltemade is on another level. I still think he's going to be a very good player but yeah I can forsee some lean spells as well as current form of 1 in 2

 

[bosnian_red]

Even ignoring goals and assists so far they both just look like much better footballers

Strong disagree here. Sesko has looked a very good footballer. I don't have a single complaint about his general hold up play, battling with defenders, aerial duels, his link up... It's literally just him taking too long to take shots which is in big part a confidence thing.

It's literally just goals and assists clouding people's images. Once he starts getting more of those, the perception changes. That's it. Suddenly his "overall game" would appear better even if it doesn't change at all.

 

[gaffs]

They're both a year older, they're not in and out of the team and they had preseason I assume? Despite this Ekitike has 1 more league goal

Does a year make a difference when Sesko has played more professional games (236) than Ekitike (167) and Woltamade (192). If you wish to dive deeper into those stats, you will see that Sesko has been a starter at his clubs for some time, where Ekitike and Woltamade were largely subs or bit part players, until the last year or so.

Plus, Sesko's played 28 Champions League games and been to a EUROs, so let's not talk like he is wet behind the ears.

Re games this season, all three have played almost identical Premier League mins so far.

I rate both of them too. Although do keep in mind the first half of last season Woltemade was struggling after moving on a free transfer the summer before. He went on a great streak at the end of the season scoring goals and he's started this season scoring goals but dont be surprised if the streak ends in the first half of this season and he's not scoring goals in the 2nd half of the season. Sesko is a bit streaky as well but Woltemade is on another level. I still think he's going to be a very good player but yeah I can forsee some lean spells as well as current form of 1 in 2

I dont have a crystal ball, so im not going to predict what they do going forward, but so far, Woltemade and Ekitike look far sharper and more threatening than Sesko does. Hopefully, that changes.

And going back to my original question.....

Why have Ekitike and Woltemade looked so much better?

You really want to put it down to a year age difference?

 

[Ekeke]

Does a year make a difference when Sesko has played more professional games (236) than Ekitike (167) and Woltamade (192). If you wish to dive deeper into those stats, you will see that Sesko has been a starter at his clubs for some time, where Ekitike and Woltamade were largely subs or bit part players, until the last year or so.

Plus, Sesko's played 28 Champions League games and been to a EUROs, so let's not talk like he is wet behind the ears.

Re games this season, all three have played almost identical Premier League mins so far.



I dont have a crystal ball, so im not going to predict what they do going forward, but so far, Woltemade and Ekitike look far sharper and more threatening than Sesko does. Hopefully, that changes.

And going back to my original question.....

Why have Ekitike and Woltemade looked so much better?

You really want to put it down to a year age difference?

I think a year clearly makes a difference. As a younger player expecations have been lower on him during those games even if there are more of them. I do get your point though about experience and perhaps it means Sesko might enter his prime a bit earlier

Yes I think its because they're older and because they arent playing up front for us. Do you want me to just blame the team? Just pretend I said its just because he plays for us then. How can Woltemade or Ekitike prove that they could be just as good playing up front for us? They cant.

 

[Matt851]

Strong disagree here. Sesko has looked a very good footballer. I don't have a single complaint about his general hold up play, battling with defenders, aerial duels, his link up... It's literally just him taking too long to take shots which is in big part a confidence thing.

It's literally just goals and assists clouding people's images. Once he starts getting more of those, the perception changes. That's it. Suddenly his "overall game" would appear better even if it doesn't change at all.

Fair enough if that's your opinion, it won't change my view of his overall footballing ability but obviously if a striker is scoring goals then its hard to complain too much. The problem is people keep trying to say his lack of goals don't matter because of what he is offering generally, that is somethingi struggle to see

 

[ValenciasDrilledCrosses]

Strong disagree here. Sesko has looked a very good footballer. I don't have a single complaint about his general hold up play, battling with defenders, aerial duels, his link up... It's literally just him taking too long to take shots which is in big part a confidence thing.

It's literally just goals and assists clouding people's images. Once he starts getting more of those, the perception changes. That's it. Suddenly his "overall game" would appear better even if it doesn't change at all.

Absolutely true. At the end of the day the only thing that will convince some people is him scoring regularly. Hopefully we'll get to that point, and I think we will.

 

[Ekeke]

Fair enough if that's your opinion, it won't change my view of his overall footballing ability but obviously if a striker is scoring goals then its hard to complain too much. The problem is people keep trying to say his lack of goals don't matter because of what he is offering generally, that is somethingi struggle to see

But we did. And I mean the royal we. We had strikers scoring goals and complained they werent pressing

 

[bosnian_red]

Fair enough if that's your opinion, it won't change my view of his overall footballing ability but obviously if a striker is scoring goals then its hard to complain too much. The problem is people keep trying to say his lack of goals don't matter because of what he is offering generally, that is somethingi struggle to see

He's just started his career here. He's 22 years old. You need to understand what player we signed, that he's not the finished product. But he has huge potential, because his overall game is really good and he has shown flashes of the goalscoring ability before.

Look at big strikers and how they develop, what age they are when they step up. Look at what he's already done before joining compared to others. People need to stop freaking out that a new young signing from the Bundesliga isn't an instant key player, for a team who has not properly supplied a striker in years. He'll be fine. Just needs time. Til then, he'll come in and out of the side. He provides a big plus while he's in, but he doesn't have that goalscoring threat yet. So he won't be a key player yet. That's fine.

 

[gaffs]

I think a year clearly makes a difference. As a younger player expecations have been lower on him during those games even if there are more of them. I do get your point though about experience and perhaps it means Sesko might enter his prime a bit earlier

So you are putting Sesko's less impressive start down to the fact that he is a year younger than Woltemade or Ekitike? That is a stretch given his extensive experience that i listed prior.

You are measuring player development like mums measure the development of kids under 3. We wont see a massive leap in development between the ages of 22 and 23, especially when Sesko is already so experienced in Europe. I very much doubt he would have started any different if we had signed him next year.

Yes I think its because they're older and because they arent playing up front for us. Do you want me to just blame the team? Just pretend I said its just because he plays for us then. How can Woltemade or Ekitike prove that they could be just as good playing up front for us? They cant.

I was looking for a more analytical and considered answer than "blaming the team".

Are we not playing to his strengths? Or is Sesko just not sharp / strong enough yet?

And what are Woltemade and Ekitike doing right that Sesko isn't?

I raised Woltemade and Ekitike in the discussion re Sesko because I don't think you will find a better comparison between three new players in Prem....

All from the Bundesliga.
Same possition.
All big boys at 6 foot 3 plus.
All signed within a month of each other..
Borth within 15 months of each other.
Relatively similar stylistically
All signed for between £69mil and £79mil.
All playing for teams that are playing at less than their best.

Obviously, its not perfect, because we cant place one player in another's club, but to me, Woltemade and Ekitike look much sharper than Sesko. They look more confident, more physical, more hungry and up with the pace. Hopefully that changes in time.

 

[bitcoin]

He is a physical specimen and he needs to learn to use it better. His idol is supposedly Zlatan, and he could do a lot worse by watching how aggressive and a bully Zlatan was.

I wouldn't be adverse to bringing in Ivan Toney over the winter window so Sesko can learn how to physically dominate defences.

That all said, I think he will come good eventually. Sounds like he is a professional, level-headed, determined and focussed fellow - let's at least give him until the end of the season before drawing judgement.

 

[TwoSheds]

So you are putting Sesko's less impressive start down to the fact that he is a year younger than Woltemade or Ekitike? That is a stretch given his extensive experience that i listed prior.

You are measuring player development like mums measure the development of kids under 3. We wont see a massive leap in development between the ages of 22 and 23, especially when Sesko is already so experienced in Europe. I very much doubt he would have started any different if we had signed him next year.



I was looking for a more analytical and considered answer than "blaming the team".

Are we not playing to his strengths? Or is Sesko just not sharp / strong enough yet?

And what are Woltemade and Ekitike doing right that Sesko isn't?

I raised Woltemade and Ekitike in the discussion re Sesko because I don't think you will find a better comparison between three new players in Prem....

All from the Bundesliga.
Same possition.
All big boys at 6 foot 3 plus.
All signed within a month of each other..
Borth within 15 months of each other.
Relatively similar stylistically
All signed for between £69mil and £79mil.
All playing for teams that are playing at less than their best.

Obviously, its not perfect, because we cant place one player in another's club, but to me, Woltemade and Ekitike look much sharper than Sesko. They look more confident, more physical, more hungry and up with the pace. Hopefully that changes in time.

Lots of forwards do make a leap between 22 and 23 though. You might have to give me plus or minus a year because my memory fails me but off the top of my head I'd say Ruud, Drogba, and Mahrez all did for example.

I'm not saying Sesko will but it's hardly ridiculous to give him time just because he's played a lot of games. Some maturity comes from playing, but you can't replace life experience. If he is a nervous sort like people seem to think then it would be normal that he'd learn how to manage that better as he gets older.

 

[ForFuchsSake]

I’m quietly confident he will work out and be a relative success. Whether that’s sufficient or not is another question.

Famous last words, but he’s a considerable upgrade on Zirkzee and Hojlund. The former not cut out for the pace and physicality of the league, despite his size, even though he’s a fairly decent technical player. The latter very similar minus the technical aspect, with possibly marginally better output.

Sesko has shown excellent link-up play, physicality, power and aerial presence at times. Chipped in with a few goals too. He’s shown some glimpses and I do think he makes our attack better.

The concern is if he’s productive enough with goals or ends up replaced later down the line.

 

[surf]

He is a physical specimen and he needs to learn to use it better. His idol is supposedly Zlatan, and he could do a lot worse by watching how aggressive and a bully Zlatan was.

Agree with this. In theory he should have the best physicality of any prem striker except Haaland.

 

[DOTA]

I’m quietly confident he will work out and be a relative success. Whether that’s sufficient or not is another question.

Famous last words, but he’s a considerable upgrade on Zirkzee and Hojlund. The former not cut out for the pace and physicality of the league, despite his size, even though he’s a fairly decent technical player. The latter very similar minus the technical aspect, with possibly marginally better output.

Sesko has shown excellent link-up play, physicality, power and aerial presence at times. Chipped in with a few goals too. He’s shown some glimpses and I do think he makes our attack better.

The concern is if he’s productive enough with goals or ends up replaced later down the line.

Yeah, I think this is a fair point. Sesko has actually demonstrated a very wide range of abilities, just much more briefly than we want. Not managing solid enough performances as a whole but we have actually seen evidence of the talent. None of those who've failed in the role in the recent past have ever shown anything like that, they've at best shown promise in one or two areas.

 

[Ekeke]

 

[L1nk]

Just reading through the comments, this forum really does display the worst side of our fan base. You go into a United pub and you’ll have real fans wanting to support the club and the players, on here it’s full of absolute plastics just ready to throw the toys out the pram and tear players apart.

If I could be arsed I’d be keen to see the same joke posters on about Rashford, McT, Hojlund etc yet apparently we fecked it letting players leave.

The most pathetic attitude. Shut the feck up man.

Couldn't have said it better myself, its a shambles in here at times

 

[Tallis]

Even ignoring goals and assists so far they both just look like much better footballers

Don't need to ignore G and A, he is comparing well enough on those.

Woltemeade - 617 minutes - 4G 0A

Etikike - 637 minutes 3G 1 A

Sesko - 618 minutes - 2G 1A

Gyokeres - 803 minutes, 3 NPG + 1 Penalty, 0 A

Isak - 253 minutes, 0G 1A


This also shows how difficult it is to be a striker in the PL at the moment. The only exception here is Haaland but then Pep plays with a much less direct style of football.

 

[Bwuk]

He really just needs to get a run of 5 starts in a row and see where he is.

Controversial maybe but I don't think his injury was anything serious. I think his confidence is shot, if he was playing well and in good form I think he'd of continued playing.

 

[windycityfan]

On his injury, has the club come out with anything definitive? Any evidence or information that the injury preceded the Spurs match?

On his return, I really really hope he’s fully back in the starting 11 by the start of December- good run up of favorable matchups, and plenty to build up until the Villa match which I believe would be the last before the Afcon call-ups.

 

[343]

He really just needs to get a run of 5 starts in a row and see where he is.

Controversial maybe but I don't think his injury was anything serious. I think his confidence is shot, if he was playing well and in good form I think he'd of continued playing.

I think dropping him against Spurs was a bad move on Amorim's part. In the five games before that, Sesko had 2 goals, 1 assist, a good cameo against Liverpool, and a meh game against Forest.

Instead of aligning with Neville, Amorim should have let Sesko use that as motivation - sent him out there to prove the internet-fueled hysteria wrong. His confidence is shot purely because of outside noise not because of having one bad game.

 

[Cantonagotmehere]

I like him. I'm very excited about his future here. He brings more to the squad than just goals. I hope the classic early judgment of United players won't effect him.

 

[caisenma]

Good clip, proper support from the manager.

 

[Bebe]

I like his talent and, from what I can tell, his personality. Sounds like a dedicated trainer and measured individual.

What I was expecting was more of the striker hunger/desperation to score, and a more fiery nature overall. The few times I'd seen him play previously, particularly for Slovenia, I felt he played with more of a chip on his shoulder than he's shown here thus far.

In any case, worrying about him after what, 6 or 7 matches, is mental.

 

[Damon1559]

What kind of person comes on a forum which is all about debate and gets upset people have opinions?

So what, my opinion doesn't count?

My opinion is that a lot of people on here like to cry for the sake of crying.. Now what?

 

[IrishRedDevil]

Out for at least a month, apparently.