Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko has opened up about the strong belief head coach Michael Carrick has in his abilities, even as the Slovenian international continues to make his mark primarily as a substitute. The 22-year-old forward, who joined the club last summer, has delivered three crucial goals off the bench under Carrick's management, showcasing his growing influence in key moments.
Sesko's Impactful Cameo Performances
In recent matches, Sesko has emerged as a decisive figure for Manchester United, scoring vital goals in limited minutes. His latest contribution came on Monday when he came off the bench to secure a dramatic winner against Everton at Goodison Park. This followed previous heroics, including an injury-time decider against Fulham and a crucial equaliser in the match at West Ham United.
Despite these significant contributions, Sesko has yet to start a Premier League game under Carrick's leadership. The young striker acknowledges this reality while maintaining a team-first mentality that has endeared him to both coaching staff and supporters.
Building Relationships with Coaching Staff
Sesko spoke warmly about his developing relationship with Carrick and the broader coaching team at Old Trafford. "We are talking regularly of course," Sesko revealed. "Carrick believes in me, everyone believes in me, and they are working to get me ready to start as soon as possible."
The Slovenian international particularly praised the work of coach Travis Binnion and the rest of Carrick's backroom team. "The coaching staff in general, not just Carrick but also the others he has beside him, are unbelievable," Sesko said. "They are working intensively with individuals, and you can see the results of that work on the pitch during matches."
From Amorim to Carrick: A Statistical Transformation
Sesko's current form represents a significant improvement from his earlier struggles at Manchester United. Under previous manager Ruben Amorim, who was sacked earlier this season, Sesko managed just two goals in seventeen appearances across all competitions.
The turnaround began during Darren Fletcher's brief interim period, where Sesko scored three times in just two games. This momentum has continued under Carrick, with the striker adding three more goals to his tally despite primarily featuring as a substitute.
Embracing Pressure at the Highest Level
Sesko also addressed the considerable pressure that comes with being a high-profile signing at one of football's most scrutinised clubs. Alongside fellow summer acquisitions Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, Sesko finds himself under constant examination following substantial transfer investments.
"For me, the way I look at pressure is that if I want to be a good player, it's something I have to accept and manage," Sesko explained. "I actually take it as a privilege. Pressure is something that has to be there if you want to play at the highest level. It's about accepting it rather than worrying about it."
The former RB Leipzig forward added that this mindset extends to his teammates as well: "For me, it didn't really affect my performance, and I don't think it affects Cunha and Bryan either. We're all focused on contributing to the team's success."
Patient Approach to Starting Opportunities
Despite his growing importance to the team, Sesko maintains a remarkably patient perspective about earning a starting position. "I'm getting more settled in the Premier League with each game I play," he noted. "But I'm not even thinking about 'I have to start, I have to start.' For me, it's simply about being ready whenever the coach decides to put me in the lineup."
Sesko emphasised his commitment to making the most of whatever opportunities come his way: "If I get five minutes or ninety minutes, I'm going to use them effectively. My focus is on delivering for the team and helping secure important wins, regardless of how much playing time I receive."
This mature approach, combined with his recent goal-scoring contributions, suggests that Sesko's transition from super-sub to regular starter may be imminent as Manchester United continue their push for success in domestic and European competitions.
