Thierry Henry has ignited a storm of debate after delivering a ruthless verdict on Manchester United striker Benjamin Šeško, branding the Slovenian forward “a waste of money.”
The Arsenal icon made the scathing comment live on television following United’s latest Premier League fixture, in which Šeško once again struggled to leave his mark under the management of Ruben Amorim.
Henry’s remarks were as blunt as they come. He expressed disbelief after watching Šeško’s performance, insisting that Manchester United had made a huge miscalculation in signing him.
His statement immediately spread like wildfire online, dividing fans between those who applauded his honesty and others who accused him of being overly critical toward a young player still finding his feet in English football.
Šeško, who joined Manchester United from RB Leipzig last summer for around £55 million, was initially hailed as a major signing for Amorim’s new project at Old Trafford.
Expectations were high the Slovenian was seen as the modern striker United had long been missing: tall, powerful, technically adept, and full of potential. However, the transition to the Premier League has proven far more difficult than many anticipated.
His struggles with pace, confidence, and decision-making have been evident, and Henry didn’t hesitate to highlight those flaws. “He just looks lost,” Henry stated firmly. “There’s no fire, no belief. For a striker representing Manchester United, that’s simply unacceptable.”
Supporters are now sharply divided. Some agree with Henry’s harsh assessment, pointing to Šeško’s disappointing goal record and lack of influence in big matches.
Others, however, argue that the 21-year-old deserves patience, stressing that adapting to the Premier League often takes time — especially for young forwards.
The timing of Henry’s criticism couldn’t be worse for Ruben Amorim, who is already battling to stabilize a Manchester United side that has been inconsistent throughout the season.
Amorim has stood firmly behind Šeško, repeatedly praising his work ethic and attitude in training, but sources suggest even he is privately concerned about the striker’s lack of progress.
The coaching staff has reportedly been working closely with Šeško to sharpen his movement and finishing, though visible improvement remains limited.
Henry’s words carry significant weight due to his reputation as one of football’s most straightforward analysts.
Known for calling things as he sees them, he has previously taken aim at players such as Romelu Lukaku and Jadon Sancho for underperforming. Yet, this time he went even further, questioning not just Šeško’s form but United’s entire transfer strategy.
“Manchester United needed a proven goal scorer, not another long-term project,” he argued. “When you’re competing with City, Arsenal, and Liverpool, you can’t afford to gamble on potential.”
Interestingly, even some former United legends echoed parts of Henry’s critique. Rio Ferdinand admitted that, while Henry’s tone was severe, his point had merit. “The raw talent is there,” Ferdinand said, “but potential doesn’t win you matches goals do.”
Now, all eyes are on Šeško. The young striker faces immense pressure to respond on the pitch and silence his critics. Amorim is expected to give him another starting opportunity in United’s next match possibly a final chance to prove he belongs at this level.
Fans, meanwhile, are torn: some demand instant results, while others plead for patience, hoping one breakout performance could spark a turnaround.
Regardless, Henry’s comments have cast a shadow over Old Trafford. His blunt assessment has intensified scrutiny on both Šeško and Amorim’s judgment in the transfer market.
For Šeško, the coming weeks could define his Manchester United career and determine whether Henry’s damning verdict becomes prophecy or motivation.
For now, one thing is clear: in the world of top-flight football, reputation means little. Only performances can silence the critics — and Šeško has everything to prove.
