Whether it’s selectively focusing on refereeing decisions, cementing agendas against Ruben Amorim, or fixating on any Manchester United player on any given day, the widespread media thrives on downing the one-time Premier League kingpins.
Newly acquired Benjamin Sesko is the latest to face public criticism from a former first-team star, joining the ever-growing list of names battered and bruised by the English media machine.
It’s no secret that United encounter more scrutiny than any other team in the country, with a who’s who list of would-be ‘experts’ jostling for their five minutes of attention.
But in a world where biased pundits are as common as the rain in Manchester, surely one of our own could offer a glimmer of support in the face of adversity?
Well, you’d like to think that was the case. Unfortunately, it is anything but.
‘I think he is well off it’ – Gary Neville offers his two cents on Benjamin Sesko
In the aftermath of a hard-fought draw against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, the usual social naysayers surfaced following three consecutive weeks of Manchester joy.
Furthermore, alongside Rebecca Lowe and Lee Dixon on NBC Sports, Gary Neville observed the former Arsenal defender wax lyrical about the growth of Viktor Gyokeres before declaring his lack of optimism about 22-year-old Sesko.
“I’m no further forward with him in respect of the jurys out,” the 50-year-old stated.
“I think he is well off it compared to the other signings that United have made up front in [Matheus] Cunha and [Bryan] Mbeumo.
“He looks awkward. He had a couple of really good opportunities in the first half where balls just got played over, and his touch wasn’t right.
“Yeah, I think for £80 million – I mean, you can say he’s young, he’s got a lot of potential, he’s only settling in, but you still want to see a little bit more.”
Given the friendly acknowledgements between the trio during conversations and the need to compare the strikers, as per Lowe’s request, it’s fair to assume that Arsenal’s multi-million-pound investment is delivering superior metrics across the board, right?
| Premier League output 2025-26 | Viktor Gyokeres (802 minutes played) | Benjamin Sesko (586 minutes played) |
| Appearances (Starts) | 10 (10) | 10 (6) |
| Goals (Penalties) | 4 (1) | 2 (0) |
| Assists | 0 | 1 |
| Touches per game | 23.3 | 19.1 |
| Big chances missed | 5 | 3 |
| Total duels won per game | 3.3 | 3.2 |
| Tackles per game | 0.2 | 0.3 |
| Interceptions per game | 0.0 | 0.2 |
| Possession lost per game | 9.6 | 6.5 |
Figures available via sofascore.com
As football supporters, we can all be guilty of looking through tinted glasses on occasion, but when all is said and done, the figures never lie.
Maybe I’m too long in the tooth, but the above certainly doesn’t read like there is a drastic difference in output between the pair —nothing to warrant such open criticism for one, following such glowing compliments for the other.
Yet, despite having a plethora of industry-supplied resources at their fingertips, so many players-turned-pundits choose to ignore the facts and instead focus on negativity.
Call a spade a spade, it’s nearly impossible to imagine Jamie Carragher openly downing his beloved Liverpool, or a mega-money signing like Florian Wirtz and his most obvious struggles.
But I could name dozens of examples of pundits from teams across the Premier League.
We know that paper will never refuse ink, and a Manchester United article will likely return a click. Still, it’s almost as if specific individuals are going above and beyond to display neutrality, veering towards something that contradicts any logical analysis.
Sesko may not have enjoyed his finest moment at the City Ground, but did an average display merit such open criticism from somebody who should know better? Absolutely not.
But this is merely the byproduct of an inevitable agenda that began with the Athletics scouting article nearly one month ago.
At a time when the world remains determined to batter this team at every given opportunity, as always, it’s up to the Red Army to maintain its unyielding support.
We have already witnessed a talented young player, Rasmus Hojlund, being ripped apart for clicks. We mustn’t allow the same to occur to our Slovenian hitman.
How do you feel about Benjamin and his adaptation to life in Manchester?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on any of our socials.
Photo by operations@newsimages.co.uk via depositphotos.com
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