Manchester United manager Michael Carrick praised Benjamin Sesko for his outstanding attitude after the striker came off the bench to score the winning goal in their 1-0 triumph over Everton.
The Slovenian forward’s late goal marked his third in just four appearances, helping Carrick maintain an unbeaten record in his first six matches at the helm.
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Although he has contributed significantly with two match-winners and a vital equalizer, the £66 million summer acquisition has yet to secure a spot in the starting lineup under Carrick.
At just 22 years old, Sesko has scored six goals in his last seven outings. Carrick recognized the interest surrounding the situation but emphasized that their relationship remains strong.
“I understand why there’s so much conversation about it, but I have a great rapport with Ben,” Carrick remarked.
Carrick praised Sesko for his attitude (PA Wire)
“I have no issues with Ben; he wants to play, of course, but I can’t speak highly enough of his attitude and the effort he puts in. His performance again today was fantastic,” Carrick added.
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“We’ve engaged in some constructive discussions, and he’s in a great place. Part of our role is to assist him in his development and help him grow as a player. Sometimes that’s in small steps, and sometimes it’s in bigger strides, and he has made significant progress recently. It’s truly rewarding to witness.”
Carrick also commended goalkeeper Senne Lammens for his part in securing United’s first away league clean sheet since March.
“For me, a goalkeeper must be dependable and trustworthy,” Carrick explained. “Instead of introducing chaos, he needs to alleviate it and steady the situation. Senne excels in this regard.”
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Everton manager David Moyes acknowledged that his team’s efforts to disrupt Lammens with a series of corners in the second half were unsuccessful.
Senne Lammens was singled out for praise by David Moyes (AFP via Getty Images)
Moyes was complementary towards the United keeper, stating, “The goalie was absolutely brilliant. The save he made from Michael Keane and how he handled the corners was impressive.”
“We had hoped to capitalize on the pressure we applied in those moments, and I believed we could score, but it didn’t work out. In my eyes, he was the standout player on the pitch.”
The defeat leaves Everton with only four wins from their 14 Premier League matches at their new stadium. Moyes acknowledged that the team is still adapting to the new environment.
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“There is likely to be an adjustment phase—other teams come here and relish the challenge,” he noted. “While there are unique aspects that we must acclimatize to, I believe our performances at this venue are an improvement compared to Goodison. Our squad is stronger this year, and we were not consistently winning at Goodison either, to be candid.”