Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov believes current centre-forward Benjamin Sesko is bringing the fear factor to the opposition.
Our summer signing from RB Leipzig had to endure unfair early criticism in some quarters but has enjoyed a marvellous 2026, so far, including earning our Player of the Month award for February.
Despite only playing the full 90 minutes of the 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United, since Michael Carrick took charge, the Slovenia international has risen to joint-top of the scoring ranks at the club, alongside Bryan Mbeumo.
He has eight goals in his last 11 appearances in all competitions for the Reds, and Berbatov is clearly impressed by what he is seeing from the 22-year-old.
“He has all the qualities right now, everything in this moment is working well with him,”
Berbatov said during his guest appearance on Inside Carrington, our official podcast.
“I hope it continues in this way. I think, right now, things are getting good for him and things are working out slowly for him.
”But I prefer it like this. I want him to slowly, but surely, get that confidence, get the goals, which they are both connected. When you get the goals, you get confidence.
“He is finding his position into the team but, even if he is on the bench, the sign of him coming onto the pitch now brings that threat and that fear factor in the opposition and it brings the goals.
”It's very good, seeing him getting off the bench, sometimes scoring goals. Starting and scoring goals. To be honest, I don't care what type of goals he scores, as long as the ball hits the back of the net.
“Until you bring that confidence in, you know, when you step onto the pitch, that goals are guaranteed.”
Berbatov, who scored 56 goals in 149 games for the Reds between 2008 and 2012, is a fan of the way Carrick has got the side purring, since taking over as head coach earlier this year.
“I think the team is playing really, really good football,”
said the Bulgarian. “And I mean it's a joy to watch. Every time, it's like okay, we can do more, because we are in third place now, if I'm not mistaken, so here we go.
”I think [it's] the whole team, as a team, it's easy to point to say this guy or that player and you can easily say Bruno [Fernandes], Casemiro, Sesko, with the goals he's scoring, [Matheus] Cunha.
“It's everybody, it's not going to be fair to the whole team. As a team, all of a sudden, they are playing for each other. Like, if you look left, look back, look forwards, you want to play for yourself and for the team. They get that synchronisation on the pitch. That is pure joy now, when I'm watch I'm like 'oh my God'. Keep going, guys!
”The assists from Bruno, the goals from Sesko, the fire from Casemiro to get the ball. The defending, as well, has improved. Everything right now is flowing, free flowing, and I hope, until the end of the season, we are going to get more of this.“
Sesko has been forced to withdraw from the Slovenia squad, ahead of games against Hungary and Montenegro, but will hopefully be fit for United's next outing, which is not until 13 April, when Leeds United come to Old Trafford in the Premier League.
Berbatov, though, will be in action during this period. The 45-year-old is set to play for United's Legends, when we take on our Southampton counterparts at St Mary's on Saturday.
The game kicks off at 15:00 GMT, with tickets still available.