The historic rivalry between Leeds United and Manchester United is always bubbling beneath the surface, but a surprising moment of international camaraderie has crossed club lines. Following a fierce public critique from Red Devils legend Paul Scholes regarding Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko, Leeds defender and Slovenian teammate Jaka Bijol has stepped up to defend the forward.
While Leeds have enjoyed a flying start to the Premier League season—collecting nine points from their opening five matches and sitting comfortably unbeaten—arch-rivals Manchester United have stumbled out of the gate under Michael Carrick, winning just one of their first five league games. Amidst the mounting pressure at Old Trafford, individual players have found themselves under a harsh media microscope.
The Controversy Surrounding Benjamin Sesko’s Injury
Benjamin Sesko has endured a fragmented start to the campaign. Despite bagging a couple of goals—including a crucial strike in the Champions League—the young striker has been battling a lingering shin injury that dates back to the conclusion of last season.
The issue flared up once again, forcing Sesko to sit out of Manchester United’s recent 1-1 draw against Fulham. However, the absence did not earn him any sympathy from club legend Paul Scholes. Appearing on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Scholes delivered a scathing assessment of modern footballers missing games minor ailments, bluntly stating:
“If it isn’t broken, just wear your shin pads.”
The dismissal of an injury by a club icon added fuel to the fire, turning up the heat on a player already struggling to find consistent rhythm in Manchester.
Jaka Bijol Fires Back in Defense of His Teammate
While fans across Yorkshire might raise an eyebrow at a Leeds player defending a Manchester United star, the bond of international football runs deep. Bijol, who anchors the backline for both Leeds United and the Slovenian national team alongside Sesko, made it clear that external noise from pundits like Scholes is completely unhelpful.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Bijol urged his compatriot to completely block out the criticism and protect his mental confidence:
“I hope and believe that Beni knows how to distance himself from this kind of pressure,” Bijol expressed.
“When things aren’t going your best on the pitch, and you have certain doubts, reading things like this can make your confidence even worse. He shouldn’t pay too much attention to it, since we all know what quality he has. He himself knows what kind of footballer he is, and I think he always shows it with incredible things on the pitch.”
International Ties Outweigh Club Rivalries
It is no secret why Bijol felt compelled to speak out. Sesko is the crown jewel of the Slovenian national team, and his ongoing injury woes mean he is unavailable for international duty during the current break—a massive blow for his country.
Though Bijol famously helped shackle Sesko when Leeds triumphed at Old Trafford last season, their relationship off the pitch is rooted in mutual respect and national pride. For now, while Leeds fans relish their rivals’ ongoing struggles, Bijol’s intervention serves as a reminder that the human side of football often transcends tribal club loyalties.
