Sesko’s impact moments challenge the rush to judge big-money signings | OneFootball

Benjamin Sesko is not the only substantial signing of last summer's window to endure a slow start this season.

Nick Woltemade, Xavi Simons, Florian Wirtz and Viktor Gyokeres have all faced critics, even if the latter duo have found some recent form.

Likewise, 'Premier League proven' additions Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga have underwhelmed, while Alexander Isak has become somewhat of an elephant in the room at Liverpool.

Is it any wonder, then, that Sesko's start has not been as explosive as hoped? A £74m fee entitles expectation, but this remains a forward who does not turn 23 until the summer. Talented, sure. Raw, undoubtedly.

Recent cameos have offered a glimpse into what might be the future. Sesko has totalled just 61 minutes of football across Michael Carrick's five fixtures in charge. Twice, however, he's come to his side's rescue. There was the stoppage-time snapshot to snatch a win against Fulham, and an even later effort to rescue a point at West Ham this week. Both fantastic finishes.

“It’s an unbelievable finish. From that angle, to generate that and to get it on target, it’s some finish,"Carrick crowed after the draw at West Ham.

"He is capable of that. But it’s not like he has suddenly burst onto the scene, he has proven he scores goals, and he does it in training. The last one [v Fulham] would have done him the world of good, but that was a big moment for him, and for us.”

It's now five goals in his last six appearances for the Slovenian, the bulk of which have come from the bench. The 22-year-old is a rough diamond, but has an instinctive touch around goal that cannot be taught. IfManchester United can smooth Sesko's edges, there's a real gem in there.

Few footballers are the finished product at Sesko's age, while fewer still hit the ground running in a new league. Far fewer do so in a Manchester United shirt that has served as a millstone around the neck of players far more seasoned than the summer signing.

Perhaps those flashes against Fulham and West Ham can earn Sesko some patience, an increasingly rare commodity in thePremier League. Cancel culture has extended far past celebrity misdemeanours, it's entered the football verse; where tribalistic point-scoring has become a social media sport. Pundits, media and match-goers should know better.

Sesko's super-sub routine is no guarantee of sustained success at Old Trafford, but the glimpses should, at least, provide him some grace.