Dimitar Berbatov has urged his former Manchester United teammates to remain ‘constructive’ with their criticism of summer signing Benjamin Sesko.
United signed Sesko for £74million from RB Leipzig in the summer, with the 22-year-old brought in to replace Rasmus Hojlund, who returned to Serie A with Napoli.
However, while fellow summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have hit the ground running in Ruben Amorim’s side, it has been a somewhat more subdued start for Sesko at Old Trafford.
The Slovenian international did score back-to-back goals before the October international break, but those remain his only two goals in 11 appearances in all competitions this season.
An underwhelming display against Nottingham Forest last weekend put Sesko under the microscope once again, with Gary Neville suggesting the ‘jury is out’ on the striker, who he claimed ‘looks awkward’ and ‘well off it’.
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And while certain that Neville has ‘earned the right’ to criticise his former club and their players, Berbatov warned that too much negative feedback could end up hampering Sesko’s confidence as he looks to kickstart his United career.
‘Everybody can criticise via social media, on TV, and I don’t care how big a man you think you are, that tough criticism, repeated constantly, can get to you,’ Berbatov, LiveScore Bet’s European brand ambassador, told Metro.
‘It can affect your game, it can affect your mood, it can affect your confidence, because we’re all human beings.
‘Of course, I can easily criticise strikers, teams, players, coaches, etc. But we need to look for that criticism that is constructive, that is going to give you something extra, that you’re going to think about and say, ‘Well, wait a minute, he or she has a point’.
‘Of course, there are some ex-football players who earn the right, more than others, to criticise, and that’s why I think Gary Neville is in the frame to say and express more criticism based on his career at United, what he’s achieved, won, and how much time he spent there.
‘In my case, I think I try to give my opinion, but a constructive one, and try maybe to see more of the positive side of things, expressing what I expect from the players. Sesko has a slow start, but let’s hope he’s ready to jump and to bring the necessary goals that he’s required from the number nine at United.’
‘The Premier League is a completely different beast’
Sesko’s profile, combined with his track record in the Bundesliga, saw the former RB Leipzig striker attract plenty of attention from Premier League clubs in the summer.
Arsenal had shown interest in Sesko before swooping to complete a deal for Viktor Gyokeres, while Newcastle United looked to have agreed a deal before Sesko opted to instead move to Old Trafford.
And Berbatov believes Sesko has all the ingredients to be a success in the top-flight, but challenges the striker to work harder to improve his chemistry with his fellow teammates.
‘He has everything that a striker should have,’ he added. He’s tall, he’s athletic. Left, right foot, he scored some bangers in the Bundesliga, heading as well. But the Bundesliga is different from the Premier League. The Premier League is a completely different beast.
‘He is dependent, of course, on the service he gets from his players. And that’s why I say get to know your teammates, how your teammates are playing.
‘If the winger is going to pass you the ball, get to know if he’s going to do a couple of tricks before he passes the ball. Get to know if he’s someone who is crossing the ball straight away the moment he gets it. This is going to help you time your runs into the box and not be there before the cross comes.
‘These small details that are very important for a striker’s perspective, and I hope that he is working on it, because as I said, I like him in the way that he was showing in the Bundesliga, but now the challenge is even bigger.
‘This is United, this is one of the biggest teams in the world. The pressure is always there, even when you sleep. The pressure is going to be there. So be patient. Sometimes the slow start means that you’re just ready to jump.’
Sesko, meanwhile, will look to get back to scoring ways as United travel to face Tottenham on Saturday.
‘I’m cautiously optimistic about my former clubs,’ Berbatov noted. ‘I know from experience that the Premier League is not a sprint, it’s a marathon.
‘You need to be ready for the big schedule of games ahead of you until the final game. Both teams have good players, and both teams had some good games going for them.’
And with both of his former sides still lacking that clinical edge in the final third, both would surely jump at the chance to have the two-time Premier League champion back in their respective squad.
Known for his supreme touch and effortless style, Berbatov was perhaps the perfect player to front LiveScore Bet’s ‘Play With Control’ campaign, with the former striker noting: ‘Football is a game of control and that’s how I used to play my game.
‘I try to slow time so I can have enough time to get the game under control, and the same discipline also applies to betting responsibly. Just like in football, good decisions in betting require calmness, clear thinking, almost like slowing time down so you can get the right decision.’
Berbatov was speaking at LiveScore Bet’s ‘Play With Control’ responsible gambling campaign shoot. Known for his flawless first touch and calmness under pressure, Berbatov’s control didn’t come by chance. It was the result of mental discipline, careful preparation and a deep understanding of his own abilities.
As part of LiveScore Bet’s ‘Play With Control’ campaign, set to launch during the UK & Ireland’s Safer Gambling Week (17-23 Nov), Berbatov emphasises the importance of understanding your odds, using the tools available to stay in control and betting with discipline.
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