Interim coach backs the striker to be “a big player for us” in the long term
Michael Carrick believes one quality Benjamin Sesko needs to succeed as a Manchester United player is to have patience, as the striker continues to wait for his first start under the interim coach.
Sesko is yet to start any of Carrick’s six games in charge so far, but has come off the bench to score three crucial goals in that time, two late winners and one to grab a draw against West Ham.
He has altogether scored six times in his last seven, proving himself a man in form.
“Ben’s in a good place at the moment and we’ve had some really good talks about it and patience is one thing for him,” Carrick said. “We need to build him and help him grow as a player and develop him as a player here.
“And he’s patient and he understands that. He’s going to be a big player for us for a long period of time, I’m sure of that.”
Clinical on the counterattack ⚡️
Ben bags another winner! 👏
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 24, 2026
Sesko’s goal was the only difference in a physical and intense game against Everton where United played poorly, but managed to defend their goal well, before hitting the home side on the break in the 71st minute.
“I think there’s games when you have to do that and show different sides to the game, really,” Carrick said.
“I kind of expected that before. We had the first four wins in a row and some really good performances in there and I kind of expected a little bit of a period where we’d have to find ourselves a little bit and find results.
“And we did it to a point at West Ham and we had to do it today. And that spirit, that sacrifice, that willingness to work for each other as a team, I think the way we had to defend the box for the last spell of the game, everybody playing their part and in the end, a clean sheet, fantastic, and a great win for us.”
United could have conceded but for the heroics of summer goalkeeper signing Senne Lammens, who stood tall to handle Everton’s 10 aggressive corner kicks, and also made a string of crucial saves.
“If you work together, if you defend well, if you don’t give goals away, then we have players up top who can make the difference,” Lammens said. “One flash, one counter, and then you can score.
“And if you keep the zero, then you can win away in this hard game. So, I’m really happy today.”
