Benjamin Sesko decision speaks volumes as questions asked of £74m Man Utd transfer

If Ruben Amorim has full confidence in Benjamin Sesko he is not showing it. Sesko has been left on the bench in United's opening two Premier League games before making an underwhelming debut from the start in Wednesday night's embarrassment at Grimsby.

He duly returned to the bench for the visit of Burnley. Amorim though had the ideal opportunity to bring him on earlier than planned when Matheus Cunha went down with an injury issue in the first-half. That problem would force him off, but rather than turn to his £74million signing in Sesko, he bought on Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutchman has scored just seven goals during his time in Manchester, yet he was the man Amorim turned to, rather than Sesko himself.

The Slovenian came on with 72 minutes on the clock as the game with Burnley was perfectly poised at 2-2, but he could not find the winning goal. His best chance came when he rose highest from a Bryan Mbeumo cross, only to head over when he should've done better. It was Bruno Fernandes who scored a 97th minute winner for the Red Devils as he converted from the spot in dramatic circumstances.

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It means Sesko remains looking for his first goal, although minutes have been at a premium. In United's opening three games Sesko has played just over 90 minutes.

Compare that to Viktor Gyokeres at Arsenal, who has been thrown in straight away to lead the line and scored twice. That is what you'd expect from any player who costs north of £50m, but Sesko finds himself still waiting for his first Premier League start.

United were beaten in a shootout by Grimsby in midweek, a Carabao Cup humiliation. Their new hitman waited for every other outfield player to step up before he chose to have a go from 12 yards. He would score, but was it down to a lack of confidence?

It later emerged that Sesko, who admittedly has an impressive record from the penalty spot, was struggling with cramp, having played the full 90 minutes that evening. It was the striker’s first full 90' in a competitive game since April 19, but sources close to the player have insisted he wanted to take one. United's coaching staff decided he shouldn't.

United have seen a number of expensive investments in front men fail to pay off in recent times - some more costly than others. Rasmus Hojlund joined in a £72m deal two years ago and is now poised for a loan exit to Napoli.

Sesko needs to be a success and will need to find top gear to do so. But he can't do that unless the handbrake is taken off.

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