“He’s a handful”: United legend heaps praise on 22-yo, outlines how Amorim’s tactical tweak worked against Sunderland

Manchester United were quite active in the transfer market this summer, and invested over £200m in new signings. The Red Devils were coming off a disappointing campaign, where they finished 15th in the league table and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

INEOS responded by opening the chequebook and securing a brand new attack. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were signed to add Premier League pedigree to the squad, while the English giants also brought in Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig to spearhead the attack.

Diego Leon joined as another option for the left-back role, while Senne Lammens arrived on deadline day to try to solve Ruben Amorim’s goalkeeper woes.

Sesko, Mbeumo and Lammens were all in the starting XI in the 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday, October 4, with the Slovenian and Mason Mount finding the back of the net.

Sesko’s slow start under Amorim

Ruben Amorim was patient in his use of Sesko, initially giving the player ample time to come to terms with the rigours of English football. The same approach was applied to Lammens as well, who only made his debut against the Black Cats over the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Slovenian’s first three appearances in the Premier League were all from the bench, and his first start came in the 3-0 defeat against Manchester City last month. The 22 year old has started every game since, and has found the back of the net in the last two outings.

Sesko was also key to United’s 2-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford, as his flick on caused Robert Sanchez to bring down Mbeumo and get his marching orders.

The Slovenian was also in the thick of things against Sunderland and his efforts have now drawn praise from United legend Wayne Rooney, who is the club’s all-time record goalscorer with 253 goals from 559 games.

Sesko has been a handful

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the Englishman added that United got their tactics right on Saturday.

“I think he’s a handful. He uses his body well, challenges for balls, and it makes it easier for Mbeumo and Cunha when he’s on the ball to make runs in behind him.

“I think that’s clearly something they’ve worked on, and obviously, getting another goal will help him.

“Sesko has been good at winning headers in the air and then running in behind him. So I actually thought Manchester United got the tactics right yesterday.

“I think Amorim slightly changed his tactics and went with two forwards up top and it worked certainly for the first 30 minutes.”

Wazza went on to heap praise on Senne Lammens for keeping things simple.

“Listen. I think the keeper did well. He obviously had the misjudgment where he’s come out the box and that could end up a different way.

“But I thought in the main he simplified things which for a keeper is not a bad thing. He didn’t take too many touches on the ball, got the ball forward quickly and it was effective.”

Lammens helped the Red Devils register the first clean sheet of the season this weekend, while registering three saves. Although he was quite impressive, recent reports have suggested that Amorim still wants to sign an experienced goalkeeper in 2026.

Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Images

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