Interim Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has publicly commended striker Benjamin Sesko, revealing the young forward has made a strong impression in training sessions. This praise comes ahead of a crucial Premier League fixture against league leaders Arsenal this Sunday.
Carrick's Positive Assessment of Sesko
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Carrick highlighted Sesko's commitment and quality on the training ground. 'He's in a good place, he's trained really well,' Carrick stated. 'I've been really impressed in the way he's trained and his finishing and the way he's gone about it.'
The 22-year-old Slovenian international, who joined United from RB Leipzig for £74 million in the summer, has experienced a mixed start to his Old Trafford career. With five goals in nineteen appearances across all competitions, his form has been inconsistent. Notably, Sesko was an unused substitute in Carrick's first match in charge against Manchester City last weekend, despite having scored three goals in two games under previous caretaker manager Darren Fletcher.
Competition for Attacking Places
Carrick's decision to bench Sesko coincided with the return of Bryan Mbeumo from the Africa Cup of Nations. Mbeumo started against City, scoring United's opening goal with a clinical counter-attacking finish. The manager now has a wealth of options in attacking positions, with Amad Diallo also back from international duty.
Carrick emphasised the benefits of this variety, explaining the different qualities each forward brings. 'Bryan [Mbeumo] had a bit of a free role in many ways in a partnership with Bruno [Fernandes] to drift and fill different spaces,' he said. 'Ben [Sesko] is very good at playing on the last line, we've seen over recent weeks he's in a good place. Josh [Zirkzee] can do a bit of both, flicks and tricks and playing in the hole. It's different styles, great to have that flexibility.'
Team News and Injury Update
Manchester United approach the Arsenal match in solid form, sitting just one point behind fourth-placed Liverpool and unbeaten in their last five league games. Carrick reported no new fitness concerns within the squad.
However, he did confirm a minor setback for defender Matthijs de Ligt in his recovery from a back injury. 'He had a bit of setback,' Carrick clarified. 'Well, not really a setback, before I arrived. [It was] only small but he was a little bit slower than we would have liked. He is getting closer and hopefully in the next couple of weeks he will be back and around it.'
Carrick remains optimistic about Sesko's future at the club, viewing his recent performances as a foundation for long-term success. 'I don't see it as anything other than pushing on and using what he's done over the last month as a stepping stone to be here and successful for a long time,' the interim boss concluded.
