Man Utd striker Benjamin Sesko was heavily criticised against Burnley despite having his best game since arriving from RB Leipzig.Sherwood was heavily critical as Sesko scored twice.(Image: Sky Sports)

Darren Fletcher gave a huge thumbs up to Benjamin Sesko when Manchester United equalised against Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday. Then Fletcher was beaming when Sesko scored to make it 2-1.

In 10 minutes, Sesko scored as many goals in Lancashire as he had managed in his first four months in England, finally looking like the striker United thought they were signing from RB Leipzig. Sesko looked like he fancied it. His movement was sharp and he forced a spectacular save from Martin Dubravka in the first half when he sent a powerful header from the edge of the box goalbound.

That’s why it was surprising to see Tim Sherwood had been heavily critical of Sesko at the interval. “At this stage, Sesko would not have a Man United shirt on for me,” he said on Sky Sports. “I would get Mason Mount on the pitch, I’d put Matheus Cunha as a false nine, just to get some players who can handle the ball. They [United] are playing with one down at the moment.”

Sesko scored an impressive brace in the second half. The Slovenia international’s equaliser was well-taken, but the second goal was even better, as the cross was wonderful and he volleyed into the net.

The striker recorded seven shots on target against Burnley and would have been disappointed not to have scored a hat-trick. However, Sesko must take the positives from his performance against the Clarets because it was the type of display that should provide him with encouragement.

Sesko joined Harry Kane as the only other player to have seven shots on target and win seven duels in a Premier League game across the last 10 seasons, which is not bad company to keep. He recorded 13 touches in the Burnley penalty area and deservedly won the man of the match award, but that didn’t stop Sherwood from doubling down in the Sky Sports studio at full time.

Sesko after scoring at Turf Moor.

“The positive is Sesko scoring. Hopefully he gets some confidence,” Sherwood said. “It’s taken him six months to turn up, but I’m pleased for him. He’s had a tough run and I’d have had him off the pitch at half-time never to wear a Manchester United shirt again. I stand by what I said.

“He’s not good enough to play for Manchester United. He’s turned up for one game against Burnley, who are going to get relegated. Hopefully we start seeing something different from him.”

Now, ordinarily, it would be advisable to simply not listen to what Sherwood has to say, but his quotes on Sesko have spread like wildfire on social media because fans have reacted. Although it’s possible that it might have been Sherwood’s intention to cause a stir and say something controversial for the sake of it, it seems more likely that he entered the Sky Sports studio with an opinion and stubbornly refused to sway from it, even when he was presented with evidence to the contrary.

Sherwood’s criticism of Sesko at half-time was objectively harsh, but his comments at the end of the game were outright strange. Sesko finally looked like a United striker against Burnley, and yet Sherwood said he stood by his comments.

Perhaps Sherwood was afraid of changing his mind and appearing to lack conviction. The truth is, having the ability to reflect and change opinion in the light of new evidence is a strength.

There have been performances from Sesko this season that have certainly been worthy of criticism. He was signed for €76.5million (£66.4m), plus €8.5m (£7.3m) in add-ons, and hasn’t scored as many as he would have hoped, but his performance against Burnley was a step in the right direction.

Sherwood should have been level-headed and constructive with his analysis. He is entitled to his opinion, but pundits have a duty to articulate criticism in a professional manner on TV.

Sesko is working hard to become a success at United. Sherwood should probably make the same effort to become a better pundit.