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With 12 goals in 20 appearances this season, Benjamin Sesko is consistently establishing himself as a trustworthy scorer for Manchester United.
Sesko made his return to the starting XI for the first time since May 3, scoring his second consecutive goal during United’s Champions League opener against Sabah. This creates a challenging decision for coach Michael Carrick.
Of Carrick’s 21 matches in charge, Sesko has not started in 13, and the outcomes have been favorable. Last season, United achieved eight wins and three draws without him in the squad.
Despite this, Sesko has made a significant impact as a substitute, scoring the winning goals in two matches, as well as an equalizer, adding to his tally of ‘super sub’ goals which now stands at four after last week’s match against Everton. His absence was felt in the early away fixtures against Hull and Everton this season.
As a £73 million acquisition, Sesko is not one to embrace the ‘super sub’ tag. However, he may find himself back among the substitutes for the match against Manchester City this Sunday.
Carrick remarked, “He certainly brings a unique threat. That’s the beauty of knowing what Ben can deliver for us.”
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“There are not many players who offer what Ben does in terms of his size, physicality, ability to play close to the defensive line, and his pace to break through the defense. He poses a real danger.
“It’s wonderful to have him back at this level after he has worked diligently to regain his fitness. A few goals, solid performances, and crucial minutes under his belt have been great to witness.
“I’m thrilled with his development.”
Sesko, aged 22, missed all six pre-season encounters while he recovered from a shin injury he sustained when pushed off the field by Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate.
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This injury impacted Sesko’s playing time against Hull and Ipswich before he made a successful return against Everton, where he scored the winning goal last season.
With around 68 hours between the kickoff against Sabah on Thursday evening and the derby on Sunday afternoon, Carrick likely finalized his lineup for the weekend before the Champions League anthem resonated through Old Trafford.
This is especially pertinent given the competition, as Bruno Fernandes scored his fourth of the season against Sabah, while Matheus Cunha also found the net for the first time.
Bryan Mbeumo has already managed to score twice, and Marcus Rashford has demonstrated strong form in his starts against Ipswich and Everton.
Rashford did not feature against Sabah after being substituted against Everton due to an undisclosed issue. Resting him could indicate a return to the lineup for the weekend’s match.
As Carrick finalized his substitutes, including Shea Lacey and Harry Amass, he shared some encouraging words with Rashford after his warm-up.
It might have been something along the lines of, “I’ll need you Sunday,” or a similar sentiment.
The 28-year-old scored in his last derby appearance at the Etihad in March 2024, before experiencing a significant dip in form at the same venue nine months later.
For Rashford, starting against City would provide an opportunity to put previous struggles behind him. His absence from Ruben Amorim’s squad in December 2024 seemed to signal the end of his time at United.
If any of United’s top forwards must settle for a position on the bench during the derby, it’s unlikely to be the local lad.
“It’s a tough choice,” admitted Carrick. “However, I’d prefer having goal-scoring options on the field and for the players to perform well.
“The understanding they share that sometimes it will involve starting, while at other times it will be about finishing a match is essential for our team throughout the season.
“I’ve reiterated this point, but having a variety of options at different times is crucial. So, it’s fantastic that they are in good shape and have started the season on a strong note.”
