Carrick breaks down what makes Benjamin Sesko so special after Sabah win

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Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick praised Benjamin Sesko’s role in the team as he outlined what sets the striker apart.

Sesko scored United’s third of a 4-0 victory over Sabah in the Champions League on Thursday evening.

Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez also got on the scoresheet. After the final whistle, Carrick spoke to reporters and shared his verdict on the game.

Special Sesko

Carrick said of Sesko, “Definitely offers a different kind of threat.”

“That’s the beauty of it – we know what Ben gives us. There’s not many around that give you what Ben does in terms of physicality, playing on the last line and his speed to run in behind.”

“It’s great to have him back at this level after him working to get his fitness back. A couple of goals, good minutes in him – we’re really pleased with him.”

Carrick noted that while he is happy with the result, he is fully aware that tougher tests are on the way.

Asked whether it’s a difficult decision to pick an attacking trio considering the options currently available to him, he explained, “It’s not an easy decision, but it’s definitely one I prefer. I think the understanding they all have of sometimes you might start a game, sometimes you might be finishing a game – we need that within the group from game-to-game over the season.”

“It’s fantastic that they’re all in good form and have started so well.”

Harry Amass and Patrick Dorgu

Carrick was asked about giving Amass his debut and how Dorgu got on, with the latter also making his first appearance in the competition ever.

“Delighted with being able to get Harry [Amass] on the pitch – and Shea [Lacey]. It’s important, it’s something we were focused on as the game developed.”

“It’s important to get the younger boys on the pitch for this football club, so I’m pleased with both of them. I thought Pat played ever so well, he was a big threat down that side of the pitch for us tonight.”

“He created that first goal and looked really dangerous, so I was pleased with Pat.”

Kobbie Mainoo masterclass

In his interview with TNT Sports, Carrick admitted being in awe of Mainoo, who was sensational in yet another game.

In his presser, Carrick talked up the developing relationship between Mainoo and summer signing Youri Tielemans.

“I think all four midfielders tonight carried on the same way. Obviously, Mason [Mount] coming on at half-time, and it was great to get him back on the pitch after missing a short period of time, and Andrey [Santos] has settled in fantastically well.”

“Kobbie and Youri [Tielemans] have played more minutes and you can see the understanding. I think Youri has settled in well and I thought he was really good tonight again. Kobbie’s just been really consistent all the way through, so we’ve got really good options.”

“It’s good to see the understanding between all of them and we can call upon when we need to.”

Carrick added, “We’re always pushing for more. Results-wise, it hasn’t been the start we wanted, we wanted more points in the league. Performance-wise, there’s a lot of things in there we were looking for, and we’ve been pleased with.”

“There’s certainly things to improve on – I think a clean sheet tonight was really important for us. We’ve conceded goals in different ways, one goes in the top corner and you can do things about it, sometimes you can’t but I think, collectively, as a team, we’ve done a lot of good things. That’s why we’re excited about what the season brings and not getting too carried away game-to-game.”

“We want to keep pushing and progressing – there’s slightly different things happening in the team now that we didn’t have last season, so that’s really encouraging for me.”

United are next in action on Sunday when they face Manchester City in the derby at Old Trafford.