Tim Sherwood says Man Utd signing ‘not good enough to play for club’ after Burnley draw

Tim Sherwood has argued that Benjamin Sesko is ‘not good enough to play for Manchester United’, despite the striker scoring twice in the side’s 2-2 draw with Burnley.

United’s squad found themselves without a manager just two days out from their trip to Turf Moor as Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties, with Darren Fletcher taking over the reins as caretaker boss.

And Fletcher’s night got off to the worst possible start as Bashir Humphreys’ cross from the left looped in off Ayden Heaven to give relegation-threatened Burnley a 13th-minute lead.

The points were ultimately shared after an entertaining second half, in which Sesko doubled his overall goalscoring tally in the Premier League a well-taken brace in the space of ten breathless minutes.

A superb 66th-minute effort from substitute Jaidon Anthony ensured the Clarets came away from the contest with a point, with the visiting Red Devils forced to settle for a third successive draw in the top flight.

Former Tottenham and Aston Villa manager Sherwood was scathing with his assessment of Sesko at the halfway stage, calling on Fletcher to haul off the club’s £74million summer signing.

And while Sesko appeared to silence his doubters with a resurgent second-half display, Sherwood remained unconvinced as he once again questioned the quality of the 22-year-old Slovenian.

‘I think the positive is Sesko scoring. Scoring two goals… hopefully he gets some confidence from that,’ Sherwood said in the Sky Sports studio shortly after the final whistle.

‘It’s taken six months to turn up at Manchester United and I’m pleased for the lad.

‘He’s had a tough run of it and I said he should have come off the pitch at half-time, never to wear a Manchester United shirt again.’

After Sky Sports host David Jones was heard chuckling at the comments, Sherwood doubled down on his assessment of Sesko, adding: ‘Listen, I stand by what I say: he’s not good enough to play for Manchester United.

‘No, he’s turned up for one game against Burnley who are going to get relegated.

‘Look, fair play to him, hopefully he gets some confidence and we start seeing something different from him.

‘I’ll put him in my fantasy football team now!’

Having returned from injury, Bruno Fernandes – clearly being eased back in – was taken off the field and replaced by Mason Mount just past the hour-mark.

According to Sherwood, the away team completely ‘lost control’ of the contest when they were forced into the substitution.

‘When Bruno came off the pitch, I think they lost control,’ he said.

‘I think he’s one man who can put the foot on the ball, he passes the time over, he passes it to people at the right time and I think they missed that guile.

‘They’re well short of quality, that’s where Manchester United are.

‘You need to be able to kill the game off, you need to be able to dictate the pace of the game and the don’t do that, even when they’re ahead.’

Turning his attentions to Burnley’s second-half equaliser, Sherwood pointed the finger at Lisandro Martinez and the Argentine’s ‘poor’ defending in the immediate build-up.

‘Anthony takes it there on his back foot, he wants to get it onto his left foot,’ Sherwood explained.

‘Martinez’s defending is so poor. I’m not sure where he’s going there but he twists his whole body around.

‘Anthony has a little glimpse over his shoulder, wants to get it onto his left foot and Martinez should know that.

‘It’s such precision with the strike, it’s a wonderful strike.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Thomas Frank responds to embarrassing Arsenal gaffe as Tottenham sack looms

MORE: Enzo Maresca accused of having ‘really bad impact’ on Chelsea star

MORE: Jamie Redknapp ‘baffled’ Man Utd aren’t going ‘all out’ for ‘elite’ Premier League manager