Manchester United’s interim manager Michael Carrick encountered his first real test since taking the reins on Tuesday, as West Ham United delivered a stern reminder of the Premier League’s rigours. Following a promising start under Carrick, United were met with a compact, disciplined West Ham side at the London Stadium, a venue that has proved notoriously difficult for the Red Devils in recent seasons.
West Ham, fighting to distance themselves from relegation worries, lined up in a 4-5-1 formation designed to choke the central areas and deny United’s attackers the space they crave. Their strategy, reminiscent of previous triumphs under Nuno Espírito Santo, looked to frustrate the visitors and exploit any lapses. When Tomas Soucek’s first-half strike in the 50th minute gave the Hammers the lead, it seemed history might repeat itself.
United’s attacking threat was limited for much of the match. The squad, still adjusting after 14 months of tactical upheaval and significant turnover, lacked the pacey wingers suited to Carrick’s vision of wing-back fluidity. Despite a clever first-half corner routine and a few close calls, including Casemiro’s VAR-disallowed header, breaking down West Ham’s disciplined defence proved a stubborn challenge.
Enter Benjamin Sesko. The 22-year-old Slovenian striker, standing at 6ft 5in (196cm), embodies a rare combination of brute force and delicate touch. Introduced in the 69th minute for the ineffective Matheus Cunha, Sesko proved decisive once again. In the 96th minute, he reacted fastest to Bryan Mbeumo’s right-wing cross, outjumped on-loan defender Axel Disasi, and executed a sublime one-touch finish into the top corner past goalkeeper Mads Hermansen. This came just two minutes after his late winner against Fulham on February 1, highlighting his growing influence.
Carrick praised Sesko’s performance: “A fantastic finish. He’s done it again, it’s important. We threw everything forward, had a lot of forwards on the pitch, and Benji stepped up.” Sesko, reflecting on the match, added: “I am happy with my finish, but I’m not happy with the draw. We deserved more, but we fought hard to secure a point, and that’s important.”
The Slovenian’s recent form underlines his potential to secure a starting spot. Having been a substitute in each of Carrick’s five games in charge, he has scored five goals in his past six Premier League appearances, bringing his tally for the 2025-26 season to six.
| Player | Goals in Last 6 Matches | Total 2025-26 Premier League Goals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin Sesko | 5 | 6 | Substituted in all Carrick’s games; decisive late goals |
| Casemiro | 1 | 3 | VAR-disallowed goal vs West Ham |
| Luke Shaw | 0 | 2 | Nearly scored via corner routine |
Sesko’s blend of raw power and technical finesse may prove the catalyst for United’s next surge. With the visit to Everton looming on February 23, Carrick faces a decision: keep faith in the proven campaigners or reward the rising star whose timing and touch are proving impossible to ignore.