Wayne Rooney delivers honest verdict on Benjamin Sesko as Man Utd legend praises player who ‘simplified things’

Rooney’s take on Sesko and United’s much-needed win

For the first time in weeks, Manchester United supporters left Old Trafford smiling. A comfortable 2–0 win over Sunderland may not have rewritten the script of their turbulent season, but it felt like a turning point — a match where the Red Devils finally rediscovered rhythm, energy, and belief. And at the heart of that renewed spark were two names Wayne Rooney couldn’t ignore: Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens.

Speaking after the game on The Wayne Rooney Show, the club’s all-time record goalscorer gave an honest and balanced assessment of United’s performance — one that praised the attitude of the players but also carried his trademark realism. “It was much needed,” Rooney said. “A win like that helps everyone — the players, the manager, the fans. You could see they were enjoying themselves again.”

Benjamin Sesko strikes back — and silences some doubts

Manchester United v Sunderland – Premier League Rooney

It’s been a testing start to life at Old Trafford for Benjamin Sesko. Signed from RB Leipzig for a hefty £74 million, the Slovenian striker has spent the opening weeks of the season trying to find both rhythm and confidence. His goal against Sunderland — a clever close-range finish just after the half-hour mark — might prove to be the moment that changes his momentum.

“That goal will help him massively,” Rooney said. “He’s a handful. He uses his body well, he competes for everything. That makes it easier for players like Mbeumo, Cunha, or Mount to run off him. You can tell that’s something they’ve worked on in training.”

For a striker still adjusting to the physical and emotional demands of the Premier League, it was a welcome sight. The 21-year-old played with a freedom rarely seen since his arrival, chasing lost causes, pressing defenders, and linking play with conviction. When the final whistle blew, his smile said everything — relief, redemption, and perhaps the start of something better.

Sesko’s performance also seemed to lift those around him. United’s attacking shape looked more fluid, the interplay sharper, and the movement more deliberate. It wasn’t just about one player finding form — it was about an entire frontline rediscovering its identity.

Lammens keeps it simple, sharp, and composed

Manchester United v Chelsea – Premier League Rooney

If Sesko was the star at one end, debutant goalkeeper Senne Lammens quietly made a strong impression at the other. The 23-year-old Belgian, signed from Club Brugge in the summer, was handed his first start and delivered a mature, assured display that immediately caught Rooney’s eye.

“The goalkeeper did well,” Rooney noted. “He obviously had the misjudgement where he came out of the box — that could’ve gone a different way. But in the main, he simplified things, and that’s not a bad thing for a keeper. He didn’t take too many touches, he got the ball forward quickly, and it was effective.”

It was a debut marked by control and calm, rather than flair. Lammens’ distribution was crisp, his positioning tidy, and his communication clear. In a team that has looked nervy in recent weeks, his composure was contagious. Mistakes happen, but how a player reacts to them matters more — and Lammens showed the kind of mental toughness that bodes well for the future.

Amorim’s tactical tweak pays off

The win also offered a small but vital vindication for manager Ruben Amorim. After weeks of mounting criticism and speculation about his future, the Portuguese coach finally saw his tactical ideas come to life. By shifting to a two-forward system — pairing Sesko with Mbeumo up front — Amorim added verticality and balance to United’s attack.

“Sesko’s good at winning headers and Mbeumo runs in behind him,” Rooney observed. “I thought United got their tactics right. Amorim slightly changed his setup, and it worked — especially in the first 30 minutes. Sunderland couldn’t live with it. They had to change shape early on, and from there United managed the game well.”

For all the turmoil that has surrounded United this season — injuries, inconsistency, and off-field pressure — the Sunderland performance hinted at a team beginning to believe again. The pressing was sharper, the transitions quicker, and the defensive line more disciplined. Amorim, often criticised for over-complicating his tactics, finally found a blend that looked both structured and instinctive.

Rooney’s warning: “Stay focused — the job’s not done”

Still, Rooney wasn’t getting carried away. The former captain, who knows the rollercoaster nature of life at Manchester United better than anyone, struck a measured tone. “It’s not something I enjoy doing, but you have to tell the truth,” he said. “Ruben Amorim himself has been critical of the players — he even said it was the worst Manchester United team in the club’s history. That’s him being honest. But if that’s his view, then the players have to listen and respond.”

Rooney’s message was simple: one win changes the mood, not the season. “They have to keep focused on what they’re doing,” he continued. “He’s the manager — so listen to him, do what he wants tactically, and win games. That’s the only way it changes. I’ve been there as a player — you’ll be criticised when you don’t perform. But when you win, the rewards are huge.”

His words carried the authority of someone who has lived the highs and lows of Old Trafford life — from Champions League glory to rebuilding years. For Rooney, the essence of United’s identity lies not just in talent, but in resilience. “Manchester United are still one of the biggest clubs in the world,” he said. “You have to expect criticism when things go wrong — and embrace it when they go right.”

Breathing space for Amorim — but Liverpool awaits

Saturday’s win may have given Amorim a bit of breathing room, but the respite will be short-lived. United now head into the international break sitting 10th in the Premier League — still far below the standards expected in M16. Their next fixture, away to Liverpool on October 19, looms as the real test of progress.

That match will reveal whether the performance against Sunderland was a spark or a fluke. If Sesko’s confidence grows and Lammens continues to exude calm, United might just have the foundation to climb again. But consistency remains the keyword — and Rooney’s reminder will echo around Carrington over the next two weeks.

For now, though, United fans can finally feel a sense of relief. After a rough few months, the team showed fight, balance, and purpose. Sesko scored, Lammens impressed, and Amorim’s system clicked. It wasn’t vintage Manchester United — not yet — but it was a start. And as Rooney himself knows better than most, sometimes that’s all a great revival needs: one good night to believe again.

Would you like me to make the tone even more magazine-style, adding colourful transitions and background context about Sesko’s signing or Amorim’s tactical philosophy?