Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer agree on Benjamin Sesko verdict after crushing Man United defeat

Benjamin Sesko was anonymous during most of Manchester United's crushing derby defeat at Manchester City.

Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker were both in agreement about Benjamin Sesko's performance during Manchester United's bruising 3-0 defeat against Manchester City.

Sesko, 22, who joined United in a £73.7million move from RB Leipzig in the summer, made his first Premier League start at the Etihad Stadium. but struggled throughout the contest.

Indeed, the Slovenia international had just 20 touches, one shot, completed 14 passes and won 33 per cent of his duels before he was replaced in the 80th minute.

Although Sesko could have, maybe, done a little more to generate space and get involved, his United teammates didn't do him any favours with the lack of service he had.

There were times where United had the chance to whip the ball into the box and give him the chance to attack a cross, but instead the ball either went back or inside.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer delivered his verdict on Sesko and expressed his concern about how United used him. "I look at Sesko, because I've obviously been in that position... and he had that one shot very early on in the game," the Newcastle legend said.

"Other than that, he must be thinking; 'Any danger? Any chance of giving me something here'? Something to go after, some crosses."

Ex-Leicester City and Tottenham forward Lineker added: "He was absolutely starved of any real service. He went through once where he broke the offside trap and the keeper blocked his shot.

"But he does also look quick for a big guy, and I watched him specifically for a lot of the game - as much as you can when you're watching TV rather than being at the game - and his movement, he's making darting runs, but I felt for him a little bit. It's tough when you're not getting any service."

Having watched him for Leipzig in the Champions League last season, Shearer admitted he felt that the money United paid might have been too much, given how much pressure the Reds are under.

Shearer concluded: "I saw him last year a couple of times, Champions League, it's a lot of money for him and it's a massive ask for him to go in at a club and be in a team that's under huge pressure - from where they are to where they're trying to get to. I think it’s a huge ask for him to go in and be successful this season."

Sesko has failed to score in five appearances for the Reds, so far. He started in their Carabao Cup second round defeat to Grimsby Town last month, but once again failed to impress.

United ended up crumbling to a 3-0 defeat against City, with Phil Foden opening the scoring in the 18th minute before Erling Haaland fired a second-half brace to finish United off.

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