BENJAMIN SESKO looked like a lonely figure as Manchester United fell to a 3-0 defeat against Manchester City.
A first-half goal from Phil Foden was added to by a second-half brace from Erling Haaland – which prompted many Red Devils fans watching in the away end to head home early.
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Fingers will be pointed towards the likes of Luke Shaw, Manuel Ugarte and manager Ruben Amorim in the autopsy for today’s flat performance.
But up front, Sesko cut an isolated figure as many of the bad memories of his much-maligned United predecessor Rasmus Hojlund echoed throughout the Etihad today.
The 22-year-old arrived from RB Leipzig this summer in a £74million deal to replace the Dane, who opened his goal account on debut for new club Napoli on Saturday.
Often last year, Hojlund, 22, was isolated and looked bereft of confidence as he was starved of service and meaningful opportunities to contribute to the game.
And today against City, Sesko was very much cast in the same role, even after an entire summer transfer window hoping to remedy the issues.
The numbers behind Sesko today made for worrying reading.
He had just 20 touches in the 80 minutes he played, none of which were in the penalty area.
One shot, an early half chance which was easily dealt with by City debutant Gianluigi Donnarumma, was his only sight of goal in the entire match.
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Sesko competed in nine duels, winning only three, while he also attempted 14 passes, completing just eight.
But perhaps the most damning finding from the game was his average position.
Sesko, the player who is meant to be the tip of the spear in the Red Devils attack, found himself deeper than three team-mates and inside the CENTRE CIRCLE.
Attacking midfielders Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo might be understandable for being higher than Sesko, but left wing-back Patrick Dorgu was also higher up the pitch than him.
In fact, the Slovenian’s average position was more closely aligned to central midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Ugarte, while right wing-back Noussair Mazraoui was also only just behind the same line.
Reacting on social media, fans were left sympathetic and concerned about the similarities between Sesko and Hojlund last year – with all the effort they put in going to waste without appropriate support.
One fan on social media said: “I feel bad for Sesko man, turning him into another Hojlund.”
A second said: “For everyone who kept criticising Hojlund. Do you still think he was the problem? Look at Sesko today. He did his job every time he got the ball, but where was the SERVICE?”
A third added: “Unless something changes, Sesko’s guna find the exact same issues Hojlund did.”
Another said: “Sesko is suffering from the same issues Hojlund was suffering from. No one is finding him.”
But Amorim urged patience for Sesko, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: “He is going to feel that he is in the strongest league in the world. We can help Sesko to use his qualities, but it will take time.”
Whatever happens, United and Sesko which need far more impetus and passion in their game next week when they host Chelsea at Old Trafford – where fan patience is reaching its limits.
Man Utd ratings vs Man City: Mbeumo forces wonder save from Donnarumma but that’s as good as it gets
MANCHESTER UNITED’S miserable start to the season continued after they were brushed aside by neighbours Man City.
Ruben Amorim’s side were unable to come back with a bang after the international break, falling to a 3-0 away defeat.
Phil Foden opened the scoring for City after just 18 minutes with a glancing header that gave Altay Bayindir – keeping his spot despite the arrival on Ssnne Lammens – little chance to stop.
While Erling Haaland did what he does best by bagging a second-half brace to put the hosts out of reach.
United now sit 14th in the table, with City leapfrogging them with their second win of the season.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated each Man Utd players performance…
