{"id":1573,"date":"2026-02-26T07:28:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T07:28:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=1573"},"modified":"2026-02-26T07:28:58","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T07:28:58","slug":"manchester-united-legend-warns-michael-carrick-he-faces-conundrum-this-weekend-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=1573","title":{"rendered":"Manchester United legend warns Michael Carrick he faces ‘conundrum’ this weekend | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t<\/div>Michael Carrick has a big choice to make in his next team selection Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Things have gone very well for Michael Carrick as Manchester United manager so far, but he faces a \u2018conundrum\u2019 this weekend, believes Red Devils legend Steve Bruce.<\/p>\n
Carrick won the first four games of his spell as interim boss, before being held by West Ham in east London.<\/p>\n
Manchester United got back on the horse on Monday night, winning at Everton to continue Carrick\u2019s unbeaten run, which has seen them climb up to fourth in the Premier League table.<\/p>\n
The manager has Benjamin Sesko to thank for three of the results he has picked up, with the Slovenian striker scoring late winners against Fulham and Everton and an equaliser against the Hammers.<\/p>\n
All those goals came when he rose from the substitutes\u2019 bench and calls are growing for the 22-year-old to start on Sunday at home against Crystal Palace.<\/p>\n
Bryan Mbeumo has been leading the line and playing well, but without the goals Sesko has been scoring of late.<\/p>\n
Bruce feels Carrick now has a conundrum on whether to reward Sesko with a place in the starting XI, or stick to the formula that has been working very nicely in recent weeks.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t<\/div>Benjamin Sesko has been in impressive form off the bench (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\u2018To be fair, I don\u2019t think he had a kick apart from score the goal,\u2019 Bruce said on talkSPORT. \u2018But there\u2019s that conundrum for Michael now, who was saying, how can I get him in the team? Do I leave him in the team? Do I start him?<\/p>\n
\u2018Big decision, but you wouldn\u2019t want to alter anything at the moment. If he keeps coming on and he\u2019s fresh and people are tired, then he\u2019s got the ability to score and he has done a great finish, I have to say, a great finish.\u2019<\/p>\n
Sesko would clearly love the opportunity to start more games, but insists he is relaxed about the situation and will just look to make the most of however many minutes he is given.<\/p>\n
\u2018We are talking of course, but (Carrick) believes in me,\u2019 he said. \u2018Everyone believes in me, and they are getting me ready to start as soon as possible. <\/p>\n\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>Carrick has been full of praise for Sesko\u2019s work ethic (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\u2018It\u2019s more about me showing up when it\u2019s important, no matter how many minutes I get. I\u2019m focused on delivering and trying to help the team secure the wins.<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019m getting settled in the league from game to game. Again, I\u2019m not even thinking about \u201cI have to start, I have to start\u201d. Whenever the coach decides to put (me) on, I\u2019m going to be there. If I get five minutes, I\u2019m going to use them. It\u2019s just about trying to enjoy and delivering for the team.\u2019<\/p>\n
Carrick would not be drawn on his team selection after the 1-0 win at Everton, but did praise Sesko\u2019s well-taken goal.<\/p>\n
\u2018It was a great finish. It was a ruthless finish,\u2019 he said. \u2018I liked the way he put it away with real confidence. It was great play from [Matheus] Cunha and [Bryan] Mbeumo to set it up and we are dangerous on the break. I am delighted for Ben to come on and make a difference.\u2019<\/p>\n\n
\n\t\t\t<\/div>Gary Neville feels Sesko\u2019s confidence could be crushed if he doesn\u2019t start on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Another Red Devils legend, Gary Neville, feels Carrick will hand Sesko a start against the Eagles at Old Trafford on Sunday and the striker deserves that opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u2018I liked his celebration because that was an aggression I\u2019d like to see from him,\u2019 Neville said of Sesko\u2019s goal against the Toffees.<\/p>\n
\u2018He\u2019s 6ft4in, he should be beating centre-backs up. When you saw him earlier on in the season he looked a little bit timid, a little bit upright, and just now he\u2019s just started to have a little bit more power about him and he\u2019s quite quick when he actually gets going, you see him sort of make his moves forward.<\/p>\n
\u2018But that celebration, I thought, was a message to everybody \u2013 mainly those Manchester United fans over in the corner who are going wild, but that was a message saying: \u201cGet me in this damn team, now. This is my start, I start next time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018He looks like he\u2019s growing in his game and in his body and he looks like he\u2019s got more power in his performance. His confidence is high. I think now on Sunday, I think Michael Carrick starts him.\u2019<\/p>\n
![\"Everton](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2263201680.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646\")
\t<\/div>![\"Everton](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2262748628.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646\")
\t<\/div>![\"Manchester](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2259451779.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646\")
\t<\/div>![\"Tottenham](\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/GettyImages-2263049059.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646\")
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