Michael Carrick praise for ‘ruthless' Benjamin Sesko as super sub's strike fires Manchester United into top four with win at Everton

React to this story

Manchester United recorded a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Everton on Monday thanks to a second-half goal from Benjamin Sesko. The goal continued the Slovenian's prolific scoring run and United's unbeaten start to life under head coach Michael Carrick. Afterwards, Sesko said his ability to make an impact off the bench comes from having "belief in me."

‘He dropped his mate Ronaldo’ – Cole on why Carrick should land permanent Man Utd job

Video credit: TNT Sports

A "ruthless" Benjamin Sesko came to the rescue of Manchester United on Monday night as he scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory over Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Sesko capped off a swift counter-attack in the 71st minute to score what proved to be the decisive goal.

The victory continues United’s undefeated start under head coach Michael Carrick. They move to 48 points in the Premier League and just three behind third-placed Aston Villa. They are also now three points ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool.

Premier League

Carrick lauds 'fantastic' youngsters after Man Utd thrash Rosenborg

24/07/2026 at 22:00

Sesko’s goal maintained his rich vein of form, with five Premier League goals in 2026. No player has scored more non-penalty goals in the league this calendar year than the Slovenian.

"It was a great finish. It was a ruthless finish," Carrick said. "I 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."

Like Monday’s game, most of his impact has come after coming off the substitutes' bench and providing a spark.

His last three goals have all come after being brought on by Carrick, and the 22-year-old said that he has "belief in me" which is why he is reaping the rewards.

'That's what he does' - Carrick hails 'unbelievable' Man Utd saviour Sesko for late equaliser

Video credit: SNTV

"[Sesko’s team-mates] know what they are going to get when I arrive in the game. It's up to me to deliver of course," he told Sky Sports.

"For me, it is important that when I am on the pitch, I use my time. I try to help the team because that is why I'm here. If I get five minutes or 90 minutes it doesn’t matter, it is just about showing I can deliver if I possibly can."

Perhaps more impressive than finding that decisive goal was the resilience shown by United in the face of constant pressure from Everton’s aerial bombardment.

Everton had 10 corners, many of which had the majority of the players crowding around United goalkeeper Senne Lammens in an attempt to cause an error.

But Lammens and his defenders stood up to the task and came away with a clean sheet on the road; it was United’s first away clean sheet in the Premier League since March last year.

Lammens told Sky Sports that the victory was built on "hard-work" and "defending with togetherness."

"We know we didn’t play our best, especially in the first half it was difficult, but then you can see if you work together and don’t give goals away then we have players who can make a difference," the Belgian goalkeeper said. "It was one flash and one counter and if you can keep the zero then you can win a hard game away.

"We knew it was going to be difficult at set-pieces because they are a really physical team and their defence is really big. It [defending corners] is a strength of mine so I’m happy I can help the team today. I am really happy we won today and I was important in it."

- - -

Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Transfers