Head coach of national side encourages striker to “be the best” in order to remain at the top level
Slovenia head coach Matjaz Kek has warned Benjamin Sesko about the realities of life at Manchester United, stressing that the forward will face serious scrutiny at Old Trafford.
Sesko joined United from RB Leipzig in the summer but has seen pressure growing around him and his teammates as the club struggle to find consistency.
Kek, who manages the striker at international level, compared the exposure that comes with playing for United to the profile of elite athletes in other sports.
“This is the competitive level that is the most watched, but also the most difficult,” said Kek. “The numbers are huge. When the numbers start to turn around with some transfers, when various analyses start, when the ratings increase, it is clear that you are increasingly exposed.
“This is comparable to the exposure of players in the NBA or the exposure of the top 10 tennis players.”
Despite investing over £200m in the summer window, United has had an underwhelming start to the season. They have lost three of their six games played so far, including a disappointing 3-1 loss to Brentford last weekend, and found themselves in 14th place in the table, a worryingly similar position to their 15th place finish last term.
It has intensified scrutiny not just on manager Ruben Amorim but also the new signings, including Sesko.
Kek said: “It is clear that behind a club that has marked the history of world football, but is currently not among the top ten, there is a large mass of fans with a critical view.
“The club is under scrutiny, the public analyses everything good and everything bad. There is much more of the latter at the moment.
“Only the best are capable of surviving this and proving themselves at this level.”
Sesko scored his first goal for United in that defeat to Brentford. It was only his third league start for the club in six games. Despite the pressure at the club, Kek has backed his striker to adapt and perform.
“My personal opinion is, and not only because I am Benjamin Sesko’s coach, that sooner or later he will succeed,” said Kek.
“If you want to be at this level, you have to be the best. Not only on the field, but you also have to be able to accept everything that happens around you, along with all the negative criticism.”
