Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has received advice to keep striker Benjamin Sesko on the bench for the upcoming Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur, despite the Slovenian's dramatic late heroics last weekend.
The Case for the Impact Substitute
Former Red Devils defender Danny Simpson has publicly urged Carrick to continue utilising the 22-year-old as a super-sub, arguing that his current role is ideal for his development. This comes in contrast to praise from club legend Gary Neville, who suggested Sesko's injury-time winner against Fulham could be the catalyst to kickstart his Old Trafford career.
A Moment of Magic
Sesko sparked jubilant scenes at Old Trafford when he came off the bench to score a 93rd-minute winner, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory over Fulham. The striker, who arrived for a substantial fee last summer, has seen limited minutes since Carrick's appointment, featuring for just 27 minutes across the manager's first three games in charge.
Carrick has consistently preferred Bryan Mbeumo as his central striker, with the Cameroonian finding the net in important victories over Manchester City and Arsenal. However, Sesko's decisive contribution has ignited debate about whether he deserves a starting berth.
Simpson's Perspective
Speaking to Metro via Kiwislots.nz, Simpson expressed his belief that Sesko remains best deployed from the bench. 'I feel like everyone at the club, the players, his teammates, the fans, the coaching staff, it's like they all scored because they obviously want him to have a big moment like that,' Simpson said. 'I hope that will kickstart his Man United career now.'
'But because he's still young and raw, I still think coming off the bench 20, 30 minutes is probably good for him at the moment,' he continued. 'I still believe that the front four, the pace, the relationship they are building up, I still think Sesko coming off the bench is where he is at, and hopefully he can keep doing that and making an impact off the bench.'
Historical Precedent
Simpson drew parallels with United's storied past, highlighting that some of the club's most celebrated strikers thrived in similar roles. 'There's nothing wrong with that, by the way. Some of our best strikers used to do that, obviously. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer used to do that, so I think at the moment it's nice that there's no pressure on him. He just comes on and gives his best for the 20, 30 minutes that he plays.'
Carrick's Tactical Acumen
The former defender also praised Carrick's effective use of substitutions, which has become a hallmark of his early tenure. 'Last week he brings Cunha on, he scored the winner, then against Fulham he brought on Sesko, he scored the winner,' Simpson noted. 'I think that's always been Man Utd's DNA as well. People coming off the bench and having an impact, and getting a point or getting a winner.'
'For me, that's the encouraging thing. Even at 2-2 normally, all the lads would get their heads down and go, 'oh God'. They didn't, they kept going, and that's what I think I've liked about this team.'
Confidence Ahead of Tottenham Test
United host Tottenham on Saturday aiming for a fourth consecutive victory under Carrick. However, they face a psychological hurdle, having failed to win any of their last six league meetings with Spurs.
Simpson remains confident his former side can overcome this poor record. 'Tottenham's away form is actually pretty good so you can't take this game lightly,' he cautioned. 'Whatever it is at Tottenham, they clearly feel better playing away from home. Maybe less pressure from the fans, so it will be a tough game.'
'But I'm actually really confident. I'd probably just go with a nice, safe 2-0 win for United, and just hopefully keep pushing. They've still got a massive chance to get in the Champions League, which is what the club needs for the finances for everybody.'
The decision now rests with Carrick, who must weigh the immediate impact of a super-sub against the long-term development of a significant investment, all while navigating a crucial fixture in United's pursuit of Champions League qualification.
