Benjamin Sesko's Manchester United career has undergone a dramatic transformation since Ruben Amorim's sacking in early January. Under Amorim, the Slovenian striker managed just two goals in 1,404 minutes of football. Since the Portuguese's departure, Sesko has scored six goals in 274 minutes, averaging a goal every 45 minutes and 40 seconds.
The change was immediate. On 4 January, Sesko toiled in a 1-1 draw at Leeds without a shot on target. The next day, Amorim was sacked. On 6 January, Sesko scored both goals in a 2-2 draw at Burnley. The upturn has continued under interim manager Michael Carrick, with Sesko coming off the bench to score the winner at Everton on Monday.
Sesko credited the improved atmosphere, saying 'everyone believes in me'. The question remains why this belief was absent under Amorim, who insisted on a rigid 3-4-2-1 formation that ill-suited the squad. The fault, however, lies with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's decision to appoint Amorim over the warnings of sporting director Dan Ashworth, who left his role as a result.
United's revival under Carrick echoes the Ole Gunnar Solskjær era, but with a qualitative difference. While Solskjær inherited decent players diminished by toxicity, Carrick has unlocked potential in a squad many doubted. By restoring a promising young midfielder and playing players in their best positions, Carrick has engineered a stark improvement, particularly in Sesko, who now looks a shrewd investment after a difficult start.
