Wayne Rooney claims Sesko has unlocked three Man Utd players | Football | Sport

Wayne Rooney has defended Benjamin Sesko after Gary Neville criticised the Manchester United forward. Sesko moved to Old Trafford from RB Leipzig in August in a deal worth £73.7m.

Newcastle United had also wanted the Slovenia international, but he opted to join Ruben Amorim‘s side. The forward was United’s third major signing in attack following the arrivals of Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.

Sesko, though, has so far failed to live up to the hype, only scoring twice in 12 games, leading to him coming in for criticism. But Rooney believes not only will the striker come good, but also his hard work is making life easier for his team-mates.

“He’s going through a bit of a tough time in terms of goals scored,” the Old Trafford icon said on the latest episode of The Overlap Fan Debate.

“I think the goalkeeper has come in and done well, he’s been more direct in to Sesko, but what we are seeing now is he can compete, he does hold the ball up better than Hojlund does.

“We are seeing as the ball is going up to him, Mbeumo, Cunha, (Mason) Mount making runs in behind.

“Because they know he will compete and he will win flick-ons and he will do that, so I think he has been better than what people (are) maybe suggesting, but I still think he needs to just get the ball, get hold of it, lay it off and get in the box and hope that the chances are created for him. I think he has been OK and will come good.”

Sesko, though, could now be facing a spell on the sidelines after picking up a knee injury against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend. The forward was introduced from the bench in the 58th minute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but he lasted just half-an-hour before having to be replaced.

He did not report for international duty at the Slovenian FA’s headquarters in Brdo pri Kranju on Monday and will continue to be assessed at Carrington this week. Sources, though, have indicated the injury is not thought to be a major issue.

But even with just under a fortnight to rest, Sesko is likely to be a doubt when United return to domestic action on Monday, November 24, against Everton. Following United’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at the start of the month, Gary Neville claimed the forward looked “miles off it”.

“I’m no further forward with him, the jury’s still out,” he said on NBC Sports. “He’s miles off it compared to the other forwards United brought in, like Cunha and Mbeumo.

“He looks awkward, his touch was off a few times when balls went over the top. For £80m [sic], yes, he’s young and still settling, but you want to see something more.”