Exclusive interview with Louis Saha: The Premier League should get involved in Alexander Isak-Newcastle transfer standoff

Speaking exclusively with AdventureGamers.com, Manchester United hero Louis Saha has explained why there are good signs at the club despite the defeat to Arsenal in the opening round of the Premier League. 

Saha has also stated how United new boy Benjamin Sesko reminds him of former Premier League star Olivier Giroud and questioned why Chelsea want Alejandro Garnacho.

The ex-France striker has also weighed in on the saga involving his former club Newcastle and their star striker Alexander Isak.

Question: Despite losing to Arsenal, have Man Utd taken a big step in the right direction?

Louis Saha: “I can remember games where United did play well against the top six, which is a good sign that we could maybe upset some of those big teams. However, the more important aspect is the lack of consistency we showed against teams we expected to beat or draw against.

“Overall, there are good signs because we’ve seen some improvements during preseason and in the first game. Even though we had a bad moment in the game where a mistake cost us, you can mainly see the improvement; the control is a bit better, especially against a big team like Arsenal. So there are good signs there.

“I can understand Manchester fans’ sentiment, but I think it’s still a long way to give us the kind of hope that we get back to normal.”

Q: Did Matheus Cunha show that he has a big future at the club?

“Yes, I think so. You can see his movement and his ability to get past people. There is courage with the ball, and at the same time, he’s very connected with other players. 

“He’s always looking for team-mates and isn’t doing individual things with his head down. It’s a good sign. When those three or four are coming with Benjamin Sesko, I think they can create something because they need a bit more understanding. 

“Those are two very important players, with Bryan Mbeumo, they need to understand each other and the type of run they really like. This time of the year is always very exciting. 

“However, it will be around October when we will see a bit of understanding, especially with the requirements the manager is asking from them. So those will come maybe in three or four weeks, and it will be nice for them to go on the scoresheet very quickly.

“It will boost their confidence because these guys can do their own stuff on their day. So this is about it: get the best foundation from the team, especially in midfield and at the back, not causing so many changes. I think it was the case against Arsenal. 

“They didn’t produce that many. It used to be a team that always created a lot, and that wasn’t the case. So it’s a good sign, and it will provide the best platform for our forwards.”

Q: What did you make of Benjamin Sesko in a Man Utd shirt for the first time?

“Benjamin Sesko’s athleticism is quite impressive. He’s very good in the air, and even for a tall guy, he’s very skillful. These types of players always surprise you with their abilities. 

“He also has an enormous strike. There are elements that remind me a bit of Olivier Giroud. This guy was very effective in the Premier League and Ligue 1. I hope Sesko has a similar future because if he can manage to score that many goals and be that reliable as a forward, that’s going to be an extremely important asset for the revival of Manchester United.”

Q: Benjamin Sesko wants to emulate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, is that possible?

“I think Zlatan Ibrahimovic was very unique and came with a huge personality that provided enormous confidence. You knew that on every 50-50 ball, he would win it and provide the right pass. 

“He had class, and at 22, you can’t expect those kinds of performances from Benjamin Sesko. Ibrahimovic came to Manchester United and other clubs when he was older and provided consistency because he was playing with other experienced players around him, like at Barcelona or Inter. 

“Zlatan didn’t need anybody and could do his own thing, in terms of progression, it wasn’t helpful for him at 20 or 21 to be asked to be the number nine of this club. That’s not fair; it’s a wrong combination, and those things need to change. 

“It’s still a bit of a gamble because Sesko, Joshua Zirzee, and Rasmus Hojlund are young and still in the squad. Former players have expressed that the club should have realized they needed a very experienced player around those younger players, which was not the case. 

“This is why we couldn’t maybe finish some games due to a lack of clarity in front of the goal.”

Q: Will losing to Fulham put huge pressure on Ruben Amorim?

“It will put pressure on Ruben Amorim, and Fulham are not an easy team to beat. They have proved over the years that they always provide a big challenge, so it’s going to be an interesting game. 

“Man Utd need to control the game and make fewer mistakes. Whether it comes from the goalkeeper or defenders, you get punished, and this has been the problem over the years. 

“Last year, Man Utd lost a lot of games. They did defend a bit better and showed more consistency, but I think midfield was our weakness, both physically and technically. 

“We definitely need to improve that sector, otherwise it’s just going to be a similar season. I do think that if you put the best strikers, you’re still going to struggle.

“We have some players coming back. I’ve seen a better Mason Mount, and better control from the combination of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes. We could see that some players, like Kobbie Mainoo and others, could fit in some games. 

“But we need stronger powerhouses in there to win our 50-50s, to win in transition, and to win with technical ability. This is very important, otherwise it’s going to be the same as last year.”

Q: Do you have sympathy for Rasmus Hojlund at Man Utd?

“I have sympathy for Rasmus Hojlund, It’s difficult for young players. They commit themselves and try everything, but often they’re not in the right position. 

“He was too young and needed to show confidence, which is incredibly difficult when faced with those kinds of opportunities. This sometimes leads to a lack of the necessary humility for putting in the hard work in areas where it’s truly needed.

“These things are really hard to learn and perform simultaneously; it’s simply impossible. I have a lot of sympathy because, as a striker, he had to provide that confidence. But at the same time, you have to show humility, work hard, and improve on the simple things. This balance is not easy when you’re 21 or 22.”

Q: Can Rasmus Hojlund go and thrive in Serie A on loan?

“Rasmus Hojlund has done quite well in Italy in the past. His record shows he wasn’t someone who scored 20-25 goals a season. He was physically gifted for the Italian league. The Premier League is a different beast; a player can succeed in one league and not the other because of the different styles.

“I obviously wish him the best, whether he stays or goes, because he’s someone who truly loves United and deserves all my respect for that. He’s been put in a very difficult situation.”

Q: Has Ruben Amorim made the right call in dropping Andre Onana?

“Andre Onana hasn’t started games all pre-season and was maybe not fit or maybe not ready. He had a lot of pressure from last year, and the season was really bad. 

“It doesn’t mean that he’s not a top goalkeeper, but the thing is he needs to improve. Altay Bayindir has come out and made a mistake, this is the thing that he needs to solve.

“Whoever is playing, the fans want the result. And Andre has the ability to do that. We know he’s a player with experience and he understands the criticism. 

“The only way that he has to respond to that is to have brilliant performances, but not for one or two games, but for a full season. That’s what we expect from a top, top goalkeeper that he is.”

Q: Should Man Utd go in for Gianluigi Donnarumma this summer?

“They need to resolve this situation. When you give Andre Onana the number one spot, you also give him full confidence, which he will need, but Gianluigi Donnarumma is definitely one of the best goalkeepers in the world. 

“He has proven that during the Euros and now has the Champions League in his cabinet. He has an enormous pedigree and is definitely a good shot-stopper. I think his communication and his footwork are getting better.

“So, yes, it’s going to be a very, very big challenge for Onana to remain there. In so many ways, when you look at his age, it’s not the age of Edwin van der Sar when he arrived at Man United. 

“Donnarumma is 26 and has already achieved a lot. So he’s definitely a real big asset because we need a goalkeeper. If you want to win championships, you have to have a good goalkeeper with great stats.

“If they don’t have great stats, it means you’re in the middle of the table. It’s as simple as that.”

Q: How could Alejandro Garnacho salvage his career at Man Utd?

“Human beings make mistakes and I’m sure that Alejandro Garnacho is realizing that he has made mistakes because he hasn’t played. 

“With his attitude, it seems like he doesn’t care. So there are consequences when you do this. He’s a young lad. He has to learn because this attitude will get him in trouble. That’s for sure. 

“Whether it’s United or Chelsea or whoever, Chelsea has a lot of competition. You’re going to be on the bench sometimes. I would love to see his response when he hasn’t played as much. 

“No, you will have those moments again. You’re going to take to social media and comment again. I don’t think that he’s going to make those mistakes again.

“This is again the situation where those guys are used to social media, they used to always speak, they always have opinions and feelings, and those need to be shared with people. 

“But that’s not the reality. The reality is that you get yourself exposed, and you’re going to get yourself weaker. And my advice is to make sure that he’s focused on improving, improving his skills, his ability to make the right decision, improving the communication that he’s got with his midfielders, with his defenders, with his managers. This is his job. And at this moment in time, his job is not to talk online.”

Q: Will Alejandro Garnacho be able to get into the Chelsea XI?

“So that’s a problem here. I don’t see why Chelsea are going for him. Yes, he’s a talented boy, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t see why Chelsea needs Alejandro Garnacho. I don’t see it. 

“Maybe I don’t know football as much, and I respect the managers. I think he’s got his plan. And they play a lot of competitions, but I can’t see it.

“It’s not a transfer where they say, yes, we’re missing this kind of player. They have good players on the flank with that kind of talent as well who could be disruptive. 

“I’m a bit surprised. So sometimes I think where there is a transfer like this, there is sometimes a lot of power from agents and I don’t like it.

Q: What is your score prediction for Fulham vs Man Utd?

“Manchester United have got enough but it’s going to be a tough one. I always find Fulham a big challenge so I will still think that United get a 2-1 win but I won’t be surprised if we see a draw, it’s a possibility. 

“But ultimately, United desperately need this win, and I believe they will secure it.”

Q: Might Alexander Isak have to work his way back into the Newcastle team? 

“Alexander Isak’s imposing style and goal contributions last year made him a crucial player for Newcastle, assisting others while scoring goals with his speed. 

“His absence has contributed to their shaky start. While a manager wouldn’t bench a player of his calibre for an entire season, as seen with Kylian Mbappe’s situation at PSG when he wanted to join Real Madrid, these players are too good to be sidelined indefinitely.

“The current situation is not ideal, and there might be a need for the league to implement regulations for players under contract. 

“They should have an obligation to play until their contractual issues are resolved with their agents. There should be a sense of fair play where, even if unhappy, players are expected to represent their club professionally as they are compensated. 

“If players refuse to play, there should be clear consequences and a defined process for every player and club, so that no one is surprised.”

Q: Do Liverpool need Alexander Isak? Is Hugo Ekitite a good enough player?

“Hugo Ekitike is a special player, but even he himself said during an interview that the Premier League is a different beast. So, even after 60 or 70 minutes, he had cramp. 

“He will have to adapt, which is not the case for Alexander Isak. Isak knows the Premier League, he will straight away create this partnership with any other players on Liverpool’s side. 

“Liverpool have such a deep squad, and are able to field so many players to score goals, just look at Federico Chiesa.

“I don’t think that I’m scared for them, but eventually when things are getting tight and difficult, they definitely need a top player like Isak. But it’s going to be the same for Newcastle. Newcastle need the money to straight away have an agreement with one or two to replace such a quality player like Isak.”

Q: Will Jack Grealish have a huge role to play at Everton this season?

“I think Jack Grealish can play a big role at Everton. He will have to debug what he has learned under Pep Guardiola because he wasn’t the same as when he was at Aston Villa. 

“I want to see the Grealish from Aston Villa where he was able to be a bit more versatile. With all due respect to the Manchester City setup, this is a necessity because they have a lot of players, so he couldn’t be the same Grealish. 

“But what we know is that this guy definitely has enormous talent, and he wants to be in the England squad. Who knows, things can go really well and he can get back. 

“So I wish him the best, and obviously, for the benefit of my former club, Everton need those kinds of players who are able to keep the ball under pressure and release it to the right players. 

“He can also score goals and provide different types of football. I think Iliman Ndiaye, I’m very excited to see those two players or playmakers on the field.”

Q: Can Fulham follow Crystal Palace in winning a major honour?

“I can see Fulham winning a trophy. The club itself is changing status. We used to be a yo-yo team, where you go to the Premier League and Championship pretty much every season. 

“Now we’ve established ourselves, we’ve been respected. We had a run in the Cup last year as well. We think about the players that moved, like Palhinha. We had some good seasons from players that we didn’t know before. So we introduced you to some strikers who have done really well. 

“I really like the set-up. What he’s done is really good. The club as well hasn’t been crazy and doing silly stuff. I don’t see any players in the press talking badly. Those are football and are very important factors. That’s why I like this football club.”