Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim is facing fresh criticism over his handling of striker Benjamin Šeško, with former players and pundits accusing him of “killing the player’s confidence” amid a slow start to life at Old Trafford. Šeško, signed from RB Leipzig for £73.7 million, was tipped to be the solution to United’s long-standing striker woes—but has struggled to find form, scoring just once in his first seven appearances
⚠️ The Brentford and Derby Disasters
Šeško’s lone goal came in United’s 3–1 defeat to Brentford, a match that did little to ease concerns about his adaptation to Premier League football. But it was the Manchester derby that truly exposed his fragility. On the biggest stage, Šeško completed just eight passes, won three of nine duels, and was substituted in the 80th minute for Casemiro as United slumped to a 3–0 defeat
“For a striker meant to terrorise defences, it was a performance that did little to inspire confidence,” wrote Yahoo Sports.
🗣️ Lee Sharpe’s Criticism
Former United winger Lee Sharpe has been particularly vocal, accusing Amorim of mismanaging the 21-year-old Slovenian:
“I don’t think he’s quite up to speed yet. I know he needs time, but the way they’ve thrown him in could be killing his confidence,” Sharpe told .
Sharpe also questioned Amorim’s team selection, suggesting Joshua Zirkzee should be starting ahead of Šeško or Amad Diallo in the No. 10 role.
🧠 Tactical Missteps or Strategic Patience?
Amorim’s decision to start Šeško in high-pressure fixtures has raised eyebrows. Critics argue that easing him in through lower-stakes matches—such as the recent Carabao Cup tie against Grimsby—would have been wiser. Instead, Šeško was the last outfield player to take a penalty in the shootout, a moment described by Tim Sherwood as “confidence-shattering”.
“If you thought this boy was low on confidence the other day, taking the 10th penalty… they’ve not had to open the dressing room door for him. He’s gone under it,” Sherwood said on Sky Sports.
🔍 Behind Closed Doors: A Different Picture
Interestingly, reports from Carrington suggest Šeško is thriving in training. Described as “sharp” and “clinical,” he’s reportedly earning applause from teammates for his finishing. But those flashes of brilliance have yet to translate into matchday performances.
This disconnect between training and competitive form has led some to question whether Amorim’s tactical system is stifling Šeško’s natural instincts.
📉 United’s Striker History: A Familiar Pattern?
Šeško’s struggles echo past disappointments with strikers at United—Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial, and Wout Weghorst all arrived with promise but failed to deliver consistently. Amorim was hired to break that cycle, but his early decisions have only deepened the narrative.
📊 Šeško’s Premier League Stats
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 7 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Passes per game | 14.2 |
| Duels won | 32% |
| Shots on target | 5 |
These numbers reflect a player still adjusting to the pace and physicality of English football.
🧭 What’s Next?
United host Sunderland on October 4, and Šeško is expected to feature. It’s a crucial opportunity to silence critics and regain momentum. But if his inconsistency continues, calls for Zirkzee to start will grow louder—and Amorim’s faith in Šeško will look increasingly misplaced.
Amorim has yet to publicly respond to the criticism, but insiders suggest he remains committed to developing Šeško gradually. Whether that patience pays off—or backfires—will depend on results in the coming weeks.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Benjamin Šeško’s early struggles are not uncommon for young strikers in the Premier League. But the intensity of scrutiny at Manchester United, combined with Amorim’s high-risk deployment strategy, has created a volatile situation. If Šeško fails to deliver soon, the narrative may shift from “slow starter” to “expensive flop”—and Amorim’s judgment will be under fire.
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