Dimitar Berbatov has leapt to the defence of Manchester United’s Benjamin Sesko after the striker faced harsh words from Gary Neville. The ex-Reds defender was critical of Sesko’s performances in recent weeks after the Premier League stalemate against Nottingham Forest.

Sesko arrived at United for £74million in the summer after Ruben Amorim opted to bring in a replacement for Rasmus Hojlund, who departed on loan to Napoli. The 22-year-old has netted twice in 10 Premier League outings, with both strikes coming in consecutive matches before the October international break.

Meanwhile, fellow summer acquisitions Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have both earned plaudits for their displays at Old Trafford. Cunha’s contributions have helped revolutionise Amorim’s attacking play, whilst Mbeumo claimed the Premier League Player of the Month award for October.

Last week’s 2-2 stalemate at Forest prompted Neville to question whether Sesko had proven his worth, after the forward struggled to influence proceedings against one of the division’s relegation-threatened teams. “He’s miles off it compared to the other forwards United brought in, like Cunha and Mbeumo,” he said.

“He looks awkward, his touch was off a few times when balls went over the top. For £80m (£73.7m), yes, he’s young and still settling, but you want to see something more.”

Berbatov, who himself was a high-profile signing for United in 2008, has cautioned that excessive negativity surrounding Sesko could dent the striker’s confidence. “Everybody can criticise via social media, on TV, and I don’t care how big a man you think you are, that tough criticism, repeated constantly, can get to you,” he shared with Metro.

“It can affect your game, it can affect your mood, it can affect your confidence, because we’re all human beings. Of course, I can easily criticise strikers, teams, players, coaches, etc.

“But we need to look for that criticism that is constructive, that is going to give you something extra, that you’re going to think about and say, ‘Well, wait a minute, he or she has a point’. Of course, there are some ex-football players who earn the right, more than others, to criticise, and that’s why I think Gary Neville is in the frame to say and express more criticism based on his career at United, what he’s achieved, won, and how much time he spent there.

“In my case, I think I try to give my opinion, but a constructive one, and try maybe to see more of the positive side of things, expressing what I expect from the players. Sesko has had a slow start, but let’s hope he’s ready to step up and deliver the necessary goals expected from the No.9 at United.”