Carrick Backs Benjamin Sesko As A Long-term Key Player For Manchester United

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Benjamin Sesko stepped off the bench again to decide a tight match, scoring the winner as Manchester United beat Everton 1-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Michael Carrick later insisting the forward will be central to United’s future plans after another decisive Premier League display from the 22-year-old striker.

Sesko’s goal capped a swift break on 71 minutes, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo combining neatly before the substitute finished the move. That strike continued Sesko’s current surge in form, with the forward now on six goals across his last seven appearances in all competitions for Manchester United.

The Slovenia international had struggled earlier in the season, scoring only twice in his first 17 outings for the club after joining from RB Leipzig. Since then, Sesko has become a consistent threat from the bench and is now among the Premier League’s most productive substitutes in the current campaign.

No player has scored more league goals as a substitute this season than Sesko’s three, a figure which puts the Manchester United forward level with Emiliano Buenda, Junior Kroupi and Samuel Chukwueze. Those efforts have often shifted tight contests, just as they did against Everton on Monday night.

Carrick turned to Sesko just before the hour, replacing Amad Diallo on 58 minutes after Diallo had struggled to influence the game. From that point, Sesko provided sharp movement in Everton’s area, recording three touches inside the box, with only Mbeumo and Diogo Dalot, on four each, managing more for United.

Carrick explained that United have planned Sesko’s development carefully and see a long-term role. Carrick told Sky Sports: "He's in a good place at the moment. We've had some really good talks about it. Patience is important for him, waiting and developing as a player here. He understands that."

Carrick then underlined how highly Manchester United rate the striker’s potential and the need to manage his game time among several attacking options. Carrick added: "He's going to be a big player for us for a long period of time, I'm sure of that. We've got to manage that. We've got some top forward players. He's made a big difference for us when he's been on the pitch."

Michael Carrick, Benjamin Sesko and Manchester United form

Sesko described how the current role from the bench fits a simple aim to contribute whenever called. Speaking to Sky Sports, Sesko said: "For me, it's important whenever I come on to try and help the team. That is why I'm here. Whether that is for five minutes or 90 minutes, it doesn't really matter."

Sesko continued that the key is to perform whenever the chance comes, stressing trust within the squad. Sesko said: "It's about showing I can deliver if I possibly can and I'm really happy with that. I believe in myself and so do the other players as well. They know what they are going to get when I arrive in the game. It's then up to me to deliver, of course."

The victory moved Manchester United back into the Premier League’s top four and kept Carrick unbeaten across nine matches from his two spells in charge, with seven wins and two draws. Only Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with 11 games, and Herbert Bamlett, with 10, started longer at United without a defeat.

Carrick told BBC Sport that such runs usually include periods where results need extra resilience rather than fluent football. Carrick said: "We had the first four games and the first four wins in a row, and there were some really good performances in there. I expected a period where we would have to find ourselves a little bit and work for a result."

Carrick explained that recent matches, including the win at West Ham, have tested the squad’s resolve as much as their technique. Carrick said: "We did it to a point at West Ham and we did it again today. That spirit, sacrifice and willingness to work for each other... with the way we had to defend our box together at the end of the game, it's a massive win for us."