Manchester United are striving to regain their position in the Premier League, and Benjamin Sesko has emerged as a bright spot of hope. The Slovenian striker, despite never starting under interim manager Michael Carrick, has consistently become a hero coming off the bench. The 1-0 victory against Everton is compelling evidence of Sesko's value as a 'secret weapon' for the Red Devils.
A precious goal at Hill Dickinson Stadium
The match unfolded at a rather slow pace, especially in the first half when United controlled possession but lacked the sharpness to break through Everton's defense. Rare opportunities, such as Diogo Dalot's shot hitting the post or Bruno Fernandes' strike going over the bar, were not enough to make a difference.
Carrick decided to bring Sesko on in the 60th minute to replace Amad Diallo. Just 13 minutes later, this change paid off. From a quick counter-attack, Matheus Cunha delivered an accurate long pass to Bryan Mbeumo, who broke free.
Mbeumo beat Michael Keane and then crossed the ball for Sesko to easily tap it into an empty net, beating Jordan Pickford. The only goal of the match not only secured three points but also confirmed Sesko's goal-scoring instinct.
Carrick's "Savior"
This was the third time in the last four games that Sesko scored the winning goal to secure points for United. Previously, he scored a late goal to beat Fulham and a stoppage-time equalizer to a draw against West Ham. With six goals in his last seven appearances, Sesko is becoming a name Carrick can hardly ignore in his long-term plans.
It's noteworthy that Sesko hasn't started any of the six games under Carrick. Despite this, he has consistently made a difference, proving his worth as a true "super substitute." Sesko's explosive performances have contributed to United's impressive unbeaten run since Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January.
Not only Sesko, but goalkeeper Senne Lammens also deserves praise. He made crucial saves, especially the fingertip save after Michael Keane's header.
This was the first time United had kept a clean sheet away from home in the Premier League since March last year – a sign of a clear improvement in their defense.
The victory against Everton lifted United to fourth place with 48 points, ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool, and just three points behind Aston Villa. This is a significant step forward in the race for a Champions League spot.
Carrick, with five wins in six games, is gradually establishing his credibility and ability to lead the team during this difficult period.
Conversely, Everton continued to sink deeper into crisis. This defeat saw them drop to ninth place, eight points behind Chelsea and Liverpool. More worryingly, David Moyes' team has gone seven home games without a win since November, exposing weaknesses in attack and a lack of sharpness in crucial moments.
Given his current form, many believe Carrick should consider giving Sesko a starting spot. The 22-year-old striker's positioning, speed, and composure in front of goal could make a much bigger difference if he's given a chance to start.
Nevertheless, Sesko's impressive performances coming off the bench also created an interesting "strategy" for Carrick, keeping him as a surprise weapon to turn the tide of the game.