Manchester United’s recent Champions League victory over Sabah FK may have come against the weakest opposition they will face in the league stage, but the match provided manager Michael Carrick with significant tactical clarity. The most notable takeaway was the impact of Benjamin Sesko, who made his first start since recovering from a persistent shin injury that had sidelined him since last March.
The 23-year-old Slovenian forward, standing at 6ft 5in, provides a distinct physical presence that has been missing from United’s attack. While Matheus Cunha has filled in during Sesko’s absence, his tendency to drift into deeper, wider areas often leaves a void at the front of the formation. In contrast, Sesko’s style is to push defensive lines back, run directly at opponents, and maintain a consistent presence in the final third.
Sesko’s performance against the Azerbaijan champions highlighted these attributes. After threatening early with a clever back-flick, he capitalized on a pass from Bryan Mbeumo to round goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov and slot the ball into an empty net. “I saw him rushing out, and it was a great opportunity to take the ball away from him and make the goal a little bit easier,” Sesko told TNT after the match.
Michael Carrick acknowledged the unique dimension the striker brings to the squad. “He definitely offers a different kind of threat,” the manager noted. “There aren’t many players who provide that combination of physique, the ability to play on the last line, and the speed to run in behind. It is great to have him back at this level after his hard work to regain fitness.”
The return of the Slovenian forward creates a selection dilemma for Carrick ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes Premier League derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford. While Cunha opened the scoring against Sabah FK and captain Bruno Fernandes also found the net, the manager must decide whether to stick with Sesko’s physical profile or rotate his attacking options. The status of Amad Diallo, who remains unavailable, further complicates the forward line configuration.
Carrick also faces a decision regarding Marcus Rashford, who was an unused substitute in the European fixture. Although Rashford has yet to register a goal or assist since returning to the club, his pace and direct running remain a consistent threat. Carrick may favor a structure that incorporates Rashford’s speed, particularly against a side as formidable as Manchester City.
Addressing the challenge of managing his squad, Carrick emphasized the importance of depth. “It’s not an easy decision, of course it’s not,” he said regarding his team selection. “But it’s one I prefer—having goals in the team and players in good form. The understanding they all have is that sometimes you start, and sometimes you finish the game. We need that flexibility throughout the season to call upon different qualities at different times.”
Following his recovery, which saw him limited to substitute appearances against Hull, Ipswich, and Everton, Sesko’s successful start against Sabah FK suggests he is ready for the intensity of the upcoming derby. Whether he retains his place in the starting XI remains the primary question as United looks to build on their recent momentum. The report also notes that manchester United will experience far more stiffer tests of their Champions League credentials than Sabah FK gave them at Old Trafford. The report also notes that however, there were some important lessons for Carrick to absorb. The report also notes that the biggest of them is United are a much more effective unit when Benjamin Sesko starts. The report also notes that when he finally accepted he could no longer play through the shin issue that had been plaguing him for a number of weeks, this was the first time the Slovenian had done that since the Liverpool game last March. The report also notes that he was only at the stage where he could be brought on as a substitute in the second half of the opening day trip to Hull, as it turned out. The report also notes that at Everton, it was his size that allowed him to convert a close-range header that should have given United victory but didn’t.
