“It would kill the lad”: United legend warns Carrick over red-hot Amorim recruit ahead of Crystal Palace clash

Benjamin Sesko turned out to be Manchester United’s saviour once again on Monday night at the Hill Dickinson Stadium against Everton. The Slovenian initially watched from the bench as the Red Devils toiled to break down a resolute home side, before Michael Carrick called for his assistance.

Sesko replaced Amad Diallo in the 58th minute and proved to be decisive once again. Teed up by Bryan Mbeumo, the 22 year old found the back of the net in the 71st minute and helped United pick up a narrow 1-0 win.

The Red Devils are now three points clear in fourth after 27 games, and they are breathing down the neck of Aston Villa, who are three points ahead in third. In the process, Sesko also put forward a case for him to secure his first start under Carrick soon.

Sesko’s recent upturn in form

Sesko has enjoyed an impressive turn in form ever since former head coach Ruben Amorim left Old Trafford at the beginning of the year. Since the Portuguese’s departure, Sesko has scored six goals in seven games, but five of his appearances have been from the bench.

Carrick has preferred a front three of Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Amad Diallo so far, but Sesko has made some fine contributions as a substitute. The Slovenian also scored the winner in the pulsating 3-2 victory against Fulham off the bench, and then repeated the trick to secure a late 1-1 draw against West Ham United.

He now has scored eight goals and set up one more in 24 appearances across competitions, 13 of which have been starts.

Benjamin Sesko Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

The Slovenian has featured in five of Carrick’s first six games in charge, clocking 93 minutes of action and scoring three goals. United legend Gary Neville has now suggested that it is time for Sesko to get his first start under the English manager.

Sesko deserves to start against Crystal Palace

Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, Neville said: “His celebration I think was a message to everybody. It was a message saying ‘get me in this damn team now. This is my start next time’. I think he will have been really disappointed having scored a wonderful goal against west ham not to be in the team today.”

“For Sesko now, I think on Sunday against Crystal Palace, he starts. And I haven’t always been convinced about him this season. But what you have to do is move with what you see. United have struggled in the last couple of games against West Ham and Everton.”

“He looks like he’s growing in his game and his body and his confidence is high so I think on Sunday Michael Carrick starts him. I think it would kill the lad if he didn’t start on Sunday.”

Neville went on to suggest that Amad may make way for Sesko against Crystal Palace at the weekend. He said: “We will probably see Matheus Cunha on the left, Bryan Mbeumo on the right, Sesko up top and Bruno in behind. And I think Amad will just slip in behind for a game. Amad has been really good but Sesko has to start, he’s been scoring winners and equalisers, you have to put him in.”

Final Thoughts

Sesko has certainly earned a place in Carrick’s starting XI after a series of blockbuster cameos. With Amad struggling in front of goal – he is yet to register a goal or an assist for United in 2026 – the English manager could unleash the Cunha-Sesko-Mbeumo trident against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday, 1 March.

Featured image by Carl Recine/Getty Images

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