Former Aston Villa and Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood has sparked controversy by insisting that Benjamin Šeško remains unworthy of a place in the Manchester United squad, even after the Slovenian forward netted twice in a 2-2 draw on Wednesday. The match at Turf Moor marked the beginning of life after Ruben Amorim, with interim manager Darren Fletcher taking charge of the dugout for the first time.
While Šeško’s second-half double initially appeared to silence his critics, Sherwood used his platform as a Sky Sports commentator to argue that a single performance against a struggling Burnley side does not change his long-standing view of the striker’s limitations.
Sherwood acknowledged that the goals might provide a much-needed psychological lift for the 22-year-old, who has endured a barren run since his £73 million move to Old Trafford last summer. However, the pundit revealed that his frustration reached a boiling point during the first half, leading him to suggest that the forward should have been permanently removed from the lineup before the interval. Despite Šeško doubling his season goal tally in the space of ten minutes, Sherwood maintained that the player still lacks the technical profile required to lead the line for a club with Manchester United’s aspirations.
“I think the positive is Šeško scoring two goals. Hopefully, that helps him gain confidence. It’s been six months since he joined Manchester United, and I’m pleased for the kid. He’s been going through a really tough time, and I even said he should have left at half-time and never played for Manchester United again. Look, give him some credit. Maybe he can build some confidence and we might start to see a different side of him,” Sherwood remarked during the live broadcast.
The former Premier League winner remained steadfast in his conviction that the Slovenian international has yet to prove he can compete against top-tier opposition. He pointed out that Burnley currently faces a significant threat of relegation, suggesting that Šeško’s success on Wednesday may be an outlier rather than a sign of a permanent turnaround. Although Sherwood ironically mentioned adding the striker to his fantasy football team, he reiterated that the “guile” and “quality” expected at United are still missing from the forward’s game.
“However, I stand by what I said — he’s not good enough to play for Manchester United. He’s played one game against Burnley, a team likely to be relegated. Still, give him credit. Hopefully, he gains confidence and we start to see improved performances. I might even add him to my fantasy football team now!” Sherwood added.
Manchester United ultimately failed to secure all three points under Darren Fletcher’s temporary guidance, as a late equalizer from Jaidon Anthony forced the Red Devils to settle for a point. The result leaves the club sixth in the Premier League table, trailing the Champions League spots by three points. As the search for a permanent successor to Ruben Amorim continues, the debate over Šeško’s long-term suitability remains a focal point for fans and analysts alike. The striker now looks toward Sunday’s FA Cup third-round fixture against Brighton to build on his newfound momentum and prove his detractors wrong.
