Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has offered a staunch defence of the club's summer signing Benjamin Sesko, insisting the Slovenian striker's value extends far beyond the goal tally.
Ferdinand, speaking on his YouTube channel, drew a direct comparison between Sesko and his former Old Trafford teammate Louis Saha, highlighting the intangible qualities that can prove crucial for a team.
The Saha comparison: More than just goals
Sesko made a high-profile £70million move from RB Leipzig to Manchester United in the summer of 2025. However, he has found the net just twice since his arrival, leading to external criticism of his start in English football.
Ferdinand pushed back against this narrative, recalling the role played by French striker Louis Saha during their time together under Sir Alex Ferguson. Saha was never the club's top scorer, but Ferdinand emphasised his immense contribution to the team's overall play.
"You know who was like that? Louis Saha," Ferdinand said. "He was never going to win the Golden Boot at Manchester United. But in terms of his value to the team, he was a joke. Some of the stuff that he would do to enable others to play better... I was sitting there sometimes going, 'Oh my God, I'm so happy he's on our team'."
Sesko's role in United's attack
The former England defender believes he sees similar traits in the 22-year-old Sesko, who has been leading a forward line that also includes Bryan Mbuemo and Matheus Cunha.
Ferdinand acknowledged that strikers are ultimately judged on goals, but pointed to other effective actions. "Manchester United haven't had a striker who can just hold it up or flick it on for ages," he noted. "Like just a simple little thing but effective. I've seen a few parts of his game that I go, 'Oh the other players are liking that'. I can see it."
Sesko has recently returned from injury and made his first start since November in United's loss at Aston Villa. His impact in that match was limited, as he was substituted in the 73rd minute after managing just one shot and 16 touches.
Manager's faith and future outlook
Despite the slow statistical start, United manager Ruben Amorim has expressed confidence in his marquee signing's development. Speaking after the Villa game, Amorim indicated that Sesko's minutes are being managed following his layoff.
"He is returning to competition really fast," Amorim stated. "He is going to improve a lot. The idea was 70 to 75 minutes. He stopped for a while and we are trying to help the players."
Ferdinand's analysis suggests that while the goals will be the ultimate measure of success, the club and its fans should also appreciate the foundational work Sesko is doing. His ability to bring others into play and provide a physical focal point is seen as a valuable asset that has been missing at Old Trafford, echoing the successful, if understated, role once filled by Louis Saha.
