Pressure continues to intensify at Old Trafford, and once again Manchester United’s lack of cutting edge in attack has taken centre stage in post-match discussions.
Despite controlling long spells of their most recent game, the Red Devils failed to truly assert themselves in the final third, reigniting frustration among supporters and pundits.
Much of that frustration has been directed toward summer signing Benjamin Šeško, with growing sections of the fanbase questioning whether the striker has delivered what was expected of him.
However, club legend Rio Ferdinand has stepped in to strongly challenge that narrative, insisting that Šeško is being unfairly scapegoated for issues that run far deeper within the team.
In a candid and uncompromising analysis following United’s latest performance, Ferdinand argued that the problem is not the striker — but the environment he has been placed in.
“Benjamin Šeško is not the issue here,” Ferdinand stated bluntly. “You could put Erling Haaland in this team right now, and he’d struggle in exactly the same way.”
That statement alone sent shockwaves through the Manchester United fanbase, forcing many to reassess where the real problems lie.
Speaking on his podcast after the match, Ferdinand expanded on his viewpoint, criticising what he described as “lazy analysis” from those quick to blame the young forward.
According to the former United captain, Šeško has been isolated for large parts of matches, left to survive on minimal service and sporadic opportunities.
“People are looking at Šeško and saying he’s not good enough, but that’s missing the point,” Ferdinand explained. “If you actually watch the game closely, you’ll see he’s feeding off scraps. There’s no consistent supply of chances, no attacking rhythm, and very little support around him.”
Ferdinand believes the root of United’s attacking struggles lies further back on the pitch. In his view, the breakdown begins in midfield, where slow build-up play and a lack of creativity are suffocating the striker’s influence.
“You could put Haaland there, you could put Harry Kane there — the outcome wouldn’t change much,” he continued.
“The system itself is flawed. The link-up play isn’t sharp enough, the midfield isn’t creating openings, and everything happens far too slowly.”
While Ferdinand stopped short of naming specific players, many fans and insiders interpreted his comments as a direct criticism of United’s midfield structure.
This season, the team has repeatedly struggled to move the ball quickly through central areas, produce clear-cut chances, and commit enough runners into the penalty box. When possession is turned over, attacking momentum often stalls rather than accelerates.
These tactical shortcomings have left Šeško frequently isolated, forcing him to drop deep or drift wide simply to get involved in play — a situation that limits his effectiveness as a central striker.
“You can’t properly judge a striker who gets one real chance every 45 minutes,” Ferdinand added. “That’s not football — that’s survival.”
Since his arrival at Old Trafford, Šeško has been placed under intense scrutiny, with every missed opportunity magnified and every quiet spell questioned.
Yet Ferdinand’s assessment suggests the criticism has been misplaced, arguing that the striker is a symptom of United’s wider issues rather than the cause.
As pressure continues to mount, his comments have reignited debate over whether the club’s problems stem from individual performances — or from a system that is failing those asked to lead the line.
