Carrick faces Sesko selection dilemma as Man Utd host Brighton in Carabao Cup
Michael Carrick faces an immediate selection call as Manchester United prepare to host Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round tonight, with scrutiny growing over Benjamin Sesko’s limited role.
United are 13th in the Premier League after their damaging Old Trafford derby loss to Manchester City, who won despite being reduced to 10 men. Erling Haaland scored the decisive goal in controversial circumstances, but the debate after the final whistle centred on Carrick’s attacking setup.
Sesko began on the bench again and was not sent on until the 67th minute, after City had moved ahead. Carrick has instead used Matheus Cunha as a false nine, although the Brazilian has yet to score this season.
Sesko’s wait for a Premier League start
The 23-year-old striker ended last season with 10 goals in 15 appearances and has recently scored against Everton and Sabah. Yet he has been limited to substitute appearances in each of United’s four league fixtures this term.
Former England forward Gary Lineker said United’s lack of a conventional centre-forward was evident in the derby, despite the chances they created.
“They look short up front,” Lineker said. “Sesko is on the bench, which is strange. He has come on and scored in matches, so you wonder why he is not starting. Cunha is more of a number 10 than a number nine, Mbeumo is mainly on the right and Rashford is on the left.”
Lineker felt United needed to put a proper target man on the pitch sooner, adding that Sesko’s eventual introduction came too late.
Alan Shearer shared that view, saying Carrick should have acted earlier to change the direction of the match.
“He could have given Sesko more time,” Shearer said. “I was saying he had to bring him on. I thought he could have made that change at least 10 minutes earlier.”
Questions over United’s attacking build
Shearer also raised doubts over United’s recruitment balance. He accepted that the club had invested in midfield and forward areas, but argued the defence had not been sufficiently improved and questioned whether the attack matches those of the leading teams.
“There has been talk about strengthening the forwards and midfield, but they did not strengthen defensively,” Shearer said. “I am not completely convinced they are that strong going forward either. They are decent, but when you compare them with many of the big sides…”
What happens next: United attempt to respond against Brighton in the cup before travelling to Fulham for an important Premier League match. With Cunha still waiting for his first goal and Sesko pushing for a first start, Carrick’s team selection will be under close watch.
