Dimitar Berbatov has questioned whether Benjamin Sesko was ready to play for Manchester United in their 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Saturday.
Bryan Mbeumo gave United the lead in the first half but Spurs appeared to be on course for only their second win at home in the Premier League this season as late goals from Mathys Tel and Richarlison put the hosts in front.
However, Matthijs de Ligt’s header in the sixth minute of injury time salvaged a draw for United.
Sesko, meanwhile, was brought on as a substitute in the 58th minute and had an excellent chance to restore United’s lead after he was played through on goal by Matheus Cunha.
But a superb last-ditch tackle from Micky van de Ven prevented United’s £74 million summer signing from getting a shot away on goal.
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Sesko was then forced off with an injury in the closing stages of the game, leaving Ruben Amorim’s side with 10 men as all five of their substitutions had been made.
‘I want to be supportive, I sympathise with his situation,’ Berbatov told Premier League Productions when asked about Sesko.
‘Yes, he needed to do better, maybe take the ball more to his left foot so this way it eliminates the defender, but we cannot take away the tackle from Mickey van de Ven as well, great, great tackle.
‘Maybe that lack of confidence, playing minutes, it affects a player.
‘Then when you get injured out of it, it shows maybe you are not ready to step into the game at full speed.’
Former Spurs striker Jermain Defoe agreed with Berbatov’s verdict and stressed the importance of Sesko’s first touch after he was played through by Cunha.
‘I said before the game, for a centre forward… when you’re rested or dropped, whatever it is, you’re not in the team and you’re disappointed, but make sure you’re ready to come on, because you can change the game, you get a moment or a chance and you can change the game,’ Defoe said.
‘I’m not saying it was an easy chance because it was a great tackle, but at the same time, when you go through it’s conviction.
‘The first touch always makes the goal, if you take the ball away from the defender then you can go and finish.
‘When he watches it back he’ll be disappointed, he didn’t actually have a shot at goal and he ends up getting injured but that’s why you have to be ready to come on and make an impact.’
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