Manchester United are in danger of making the same costly error with striker Benjamin Sesko as they did with Rasmus Hojlund, according to former Red Devils hero Dwight Yorke.
A slow start for the Slovenian striker
The warning comes after another frustrating outing for the 22-year-old Slovenian international during United's tedious 1-1 home draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday night. Sesko, who joined from RB Leipzig in a deal worth nearly £74 million last summer, spurned a couple of good opportunities at Old Trafford.
His struggle for form has been a persistent theme this season. In his first 15 Premier League appearances for the club, Sesko has found the net only twice, with his last goal coming all the way back on October 4 in a victory over Sunderland.
Yorke points the finger at United's system
Speaking to FootItalia, Yorke was clear that the problem does not lie solely with the player. The Trinidad and Tobago legend believes the team is not being set up to provide the service a traditional number nine needs.
"At the end of the day, as a striker, you're always going to be judged on goals," Yorke stated. "You can work as hard as possible, and people are seeing the work that Benjamin Sesko has put in. However, I still think United are adapting to playing with him too."
He highlighted a critical tactical shortfall: "Historically at United, creative balls are coming in, trying to get that number nine on the end of their crosses and creativity, and I think that's an area United could improve in to help Sesko."
The haunting Hojlund parallel
Yorke sees a direct and worrying comparison with Rasmus Hojlund, who struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford before revitalising his career after a summer move to Napoli.
"They haven't really found a set way of playing to his strengths yet," Yorke continued, analysing Sesko's situation. "That has isolated Sesko... We've seen what happened to Rasmus Hojlund, and United will need to find a way of avoiding a similar situation, but creating more chances for Sesko."
The former striker warned that patience will wear thin if the creativity does not improve, saying the frustration will eventually "kick in" for a forward starved of service.
Amorim cites injuries for disjointed display
After the disappointing result against the league's bottom side, manager Ruben Amorim pointed to a lengthy injury list and Africa Cup of Nations absences for his team's lack of fluidity.
"I think we are in one situation that you have a lot of players out at the same time," Amorim told a post-match press conference. "When you play Casemiro and [Manuel] Ugarte in the middle, you know that is different. When you have Kobbie Mainoo or Mason Mount or Bruno [Fernandes], that is normal."
He admitted the performance lacked quality, adding: "We had lack of fluidity, and then lack of quality, and then lack of creation of chances." Amorim remains hopeful that the return of key personnel will solve the issues.
Despite having won just eight of their 19 league games this season, Manchester United currently sit sixth in the Premier League table. Their next challenge is an away trip to face Leeds United on Sunday.
