When Benjamin Sesko joined Manchester United for a staggering €85 million, fans hoped he would solve the team’s striking woes. However, the reality has been brutally suffocating. The 22-year-old Slovenian striker started in the recently concluded Manchester Derby, yet managed only 20 touches, 1 shot, lost possession 8 times, and recorded a passing accuracy of just 57%. This was his fifth appearance for United, totaling 250 minutes on the pitch, yet he still has zero goals and assists to his name.
At the Etihad Stadium, Sesko looked utterly isolated, like a piece of driftwood in the Atlantic. Early in the match, he tested City goalkeeper Donnarumma with a long-range shot and later made a run past Gvardiol, only to miss a golden opportunity due to a heavy touch. As City took control, Sesko barely touched the ball for extended periods, his involvement dropped sharply, and he was eventually substituted in the 79th minute for Zirkzee.
This scenario mirrors that of his predecessor, Hojlund. Last season, Hojlund averaged only 1.05 shots per game—the lowest among Premier League strikers—and touched the ball inside the box fewer than three times per match. The Danish striker, standing over 1.9 meters tall, had a heading success rate of just 38% and a first-touch error rate of 27%. Over 37 appearances for United, he scored only 7 goals, going goalless in his last 17 matches.
Ironically, Hojlund scored on his debut after moving to Napoli, suggesting that the issue wasn’t the players themselves. Meanwhile, former United players have flourished elsewhere: Antony (loaned to Betis, 7 games, 3 goals, 2 assists) and Rashford (Villa, 3 games, 3 assists) highlight how the Manchester environment suppresses forwards’ potential.
The tactical system clearly plays a role. Coach Amorim’s 3-4-3 setup relies on the central striker as a pivot, but United’s wingers prefer cutting inside rather than crossing, leaving the striker isolated. Last season, Hojlund received only two assists from Rashford and none from Bruno Fernandes.
Sesko’s experience in the Manchester Derby perfectly replicated this dilemma. He had just 20 touches—the fewest among starters—which wasn’t a one-off. Against Arsenal, he touched the ball only 7 times; against Fulham, 17 times; against Burnley, 8 times.
United’s midfield support is glaringly inadequate. In the derby, Fernandes and Mbomo struggled to supply the forwards, and although Bruno Fernandes touched the ball 86 times, only 2 passes led to shots. With Ugarte as the lone defensive midfielder, creative build-up was stifled.
Fans are furious. Social media is flooded with criticism of Amorim and United’s tactics: “Sesko and Hojlund faced the exact same problem—no one passes to them!” “Hojlund struggled under United’s system, now it’s Sesko. The problem isn’t the players; it’s the system!”
The “star black hole” effect at United persists. Departed players’ success elsewhere validates Ronaldo’s old “fish tank theory”—the club’s high-pressure environment suppresses performance. Hojlund even experienced cheering from fans when substituted, highlighting extreme public pressure.
Statistical evidence underscores the severity of the problem. Hojlund’s key metrics at United were dismal: 1.05 shots per game (20th among top strikers), fewer than 3 touches in the box per game. Sesko’s first four matches show similarly poor stats: 0 goals, 0 assists, 13 touches per game.
United’s overall attacking weakness is stark. Last season, they scored only 29 goals in 24 league games, equal to Crystal Palace and only marginally better than relegation-threatened Leicester City. This season, they are 15th in the Premier League, with no improvement in firepower.
The coaching staff’s player usage is also questionable. Playmaker Bruno Fernandes is deployed on the wing, exhausting himself, while the creative young midfielder Menu is fixed in a defensive midfield role, limiting forward runs and creativity. Casemiro’s physical decline is evident—his passing success has dropped to 52.9%—yet he remains a tactical cornerstone.
Defensive issues further undermine the forwards. United have conceded 6 goals due to errors—the most in the league. Frequent mistakes, such as Mazraoui slipping or Baindell misplaying the ball, force forwards to drop back, weakening attacking threat.
Hojlund’s confidence visibly collapsed during his final period at United. He frequently complained about teammates’ passing choices and had heated arguments with Ganago and Amorim. Amorim revealed that although encouraged in training, Hojlund “lacked composure, affecting his match-day decisions.”
Now, Sesko seems to be following the same path. In the derby, he was nearly invisible in the second half, showing little initiative and failing to match his transfer value. If this goal drought continues into winter, his confidence and market value could suffer.
United’s striker curse has become a systemic issue. Tactical misalignment, lack of dressing room cohesion, and failed youth development combine to prevent new forwards from reaching their potential. From Antony and Hojlund to Sesko, the pattern of expensive signings failing to thrive continues unabated.
