Sesko's return gives Carrick a Man City derby decision — SkimNews
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- Benjamin Sesko scored his first Champions League goal for Manchester United in a 4-0 win over Sabah FK at Old Trafford, rounding goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov after Bryan Mbeumo played him through on goal.
- The goal marked Sesko's first start since the Liverpool game in March 2025, having been limited to substitute appearances against Hull, Ipswich, and Everton due to a shin injury.
- At 6ft 5in and 23 years old, Sesko offers United a physical presence their other strikers lack, with Carrick saying "there's not many around that kind of give you what Ben does in terms of his physique, his physicality."
- Matheus Cunha opened the scoring against Sabah and Bruno Fernandes also netted, but both drift into similar spaces — unlike Sesko, who runs at defenders and pushes them back.
- Marcus Rashford, who was an unused substitute against Sabah, has yet to score or create a goal since returning from his boyhood club following last season's loan spell at Barcelona.
- Carrick called the selection dilemma "not an easy decision," adding that squad rotation will be needed "from game to game over the season" — with Sunday's Premier League derby against Manchester City looming at Old Trafford.
Why it matters: With Amad Diallo still sidelined, Rashford goalless since his Barcelona loan, and Cunha drifting from Fernandes rather than leading the line, Sesko's fitness return gives Carrick a credible true-No. 9 option for the derby — but starting him carries risk after a shin issue that kept him out from March until this week.
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