Sesko Earns Michael Carrick’s Praise as Manchester United Beat Sabah FK
Manchester United made an emphatic start to their 2026/27 Champions League campaign by defeating Sabah FK 4-0 at Old Trafford on Friday, with Benjamin Sesko once again finding the net and earning special praise from Michael Carrick.
United dominated from start to finish, with goals from Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes, Sesko and Lisandro Martinez completing a convincing victory. The hosts registered 20 shots, with nine finding the target, underlining their control throughout the match.
The result also provides United with valuable momentum ahead of a crucial Manchester derby against Manchester City this weekend.
For Sesko, the match continued an encouraging return to form.
The Slovenia international has now scored in consecutive matches after finding the net against Sabah. He had previously scored in United’s 2-2 draw with Everton last weekend, following a period in which he was used mainly as a substitute during matches against Hull City and Ipswich Town.
Carrick explained that Sesko’s limited involvement earlier in the campaign was partly due to his recovery from an injury suffered in May.
The United manager was subsequently asked whether the 22-year-old could start against Manchester City in the derby, but stopped short of making a decision.
“Sometimes a player starts and sometimes he can finish the game for us. We need those things in every match. Ben can give us another threat,” Carrick said, as quoted by ESPN.
“I think what he gives us is very good. He has physical qualities, he has a good frame and he is a real threat.”
Sesko’s recent performances have given Carrick another attacking option at an important moment in the season. The striker’s size, movement and physical presence provide United with a different profile in the final third and could prove useful against City.
Carrick is also encouraged by the progress Sesko has made since returning from injury. The manager believes having the forward back at full intensity strengthens United’s attacking department at precisely the right time.
“It’s great to have Ben back and developing from the injury he had,” Carrick added.
With United now beginning their Champions League campaign with a comfortable victory, Sesko’s resurgence could provide another boost ahead of the weekend’s derby.
Whether he starts or makes an impact from the bench remains to be seen, but one thing is increasingly clear: Sesko is beginning to look like a genuine attacking threat at Old Trafford once again.
