Carrick Lauds Sesko's Impact as Late Strike Secures United Victory
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has praised striker Benjamin Sesko's exemplary attitude after the Slovenian international emerged from the bench to score the decisive goal in a 1-0 Premier League victory over Everton on Monday night. The 22-year-old's late strike, which marked his third goal in four appearances, secured all three points for United at Everton's new stadium, maintaining Carrick's unbeaten start across his six matches in charge.
Sesko's Prolific Form Despite Bench Role
Despite his impactful contributions—which now include two match-winning goals and a crucial equaliser—the £66 million summer signing from Red Bull Salzburg has yet to secure a regular starting spot under Carrick. Sesko has now scored six times in his last seven outings for the club, demonstrating remarkable consistency and clinical finishing.
Carrick acknowledged the external focus on Sesko's substitute status but insisted there was no issue between them. "I get why everyone's talking about it and making a bigger deal of it, but I've got a really good relationship with Ben," Carrick stated. "I've got no problem with Ben and he hasn't got an issue. He obviously wants to play, but I can't speak highly enough of how he's been and the work he's putting in and his attitude to come on and do what he's done again."
Carrick's Development Plan for Young Striker
The United manager elaborated on his approach to developing the young forward, emphasising measured progression. "We've had some really good conversations and he's in a really good place, and part of us is helping him take his steps in development and growing him as a player," Carrick explained. "Sometimes that's little steps, sometimes that's bigger steps and he's taken some huge steps recently. That's great to see."
Goalkeeper Lammens Earns Praise from Both Managers
Carrick also reserved special praise for goalkeeper Senne Lammens, whose performance secured United's first away league clean sheet since March. "For me a goalkeeper has to be reliable, be trustworthy," he explained. "Instead of creating chaos, you want him to take the chaos away and calm things down. I think Senne does that."
Everton manager David Moyes admitted his side's attempts to unsettle Lammens with a barrage of corners in the second half proved completely futile. The Scottish manager was effusive in his praise for the United stopper, saying: "The goalie was bloody brilliant. The save he made from Michael Keane, the way he dealt with the corners. We hoped somewhere we'd have got a nick on one of them with the pressure we had in those situations. I thought we would get one, but we didn't. For me he was the best player on the pitch."
Everton's Struggles Continue at New Stadium
The defeat means Everton have now won just four of their 14 Premier League fixtures at their new stadium this season. Moyes conceded his team is still adjusting to their new surroundings, noting: "I think there is probably a change—other teams come here and enjoy it. There are things about it which are different and we have to get used to. But I think our games are better than at Goodison. Our team is better this year and it wasn't as if we were winning every game at Goodison, to be honest."
The result leaves Manchester United firmly in the top four conversation while Everton continue to search for consistency in their new home ground, with both managers highlighting key individual performances that decided this tightly contested Premier League encounter.
