Michael Carrick had been completely flawless as the interim Manchester United head coach right up until the 1-1 draw against West Ham, in which he made a mistake.
It was never going to be straightforward for Manchester United against West Ham, who have been a bogey team in recent years, and that proved to be the case again.
United only salvaged a 1-1 draw with the Hammers, in a frustrating night at the London Stadium, which took a Benjamin Sesko moment of brilliance in the 96th minute.
Drawing against a really in-form team is not the end of the world, and United remain fourth, but there is one lesson Michael Carrick needs to learn from going forward.
And it was highlighted by Sesko’s goal.
Who was Manchester United’s Man of the Match vs West Ham?
Benjamin Sesko needs to be starting games for Manchester United
For whatever reason, Manchester United struggles against low blocks, and it has been an issue long before Carrick took charge.
United’s passing was slow and safe against West Ham for large periods, and it took a cross to unlock the home side for Sesko’s equaliser.
After the game, Carrick admitted he wanted more crosses; however, if that were the case, then his decision to leave Sesko on the bench until the 69th minute was confusing.
Carrick has favoured either Matheus Cunha or Bryan Mbeumo up front so far, but neither are effective from crosses, which was the only joy United have had against teams sitting deep under Carrick.
Both Sesko’s goal and the fractional offside goal from Casemiro were the result of crosses, Bruno Fernandes scored against Spurs from a cross and even against Fulham, the winner came through a cross.
These all came in game states where the opponent was sitting behind the ball, which West Ham were always going to do on Tuesday night, making the decision not to start Sesko up front a mistake on Carrick’s part.
Sesko has now scored five goals since Ruben Amorim was sacked in just 241 minutes of action, every 48 minutes, all of which came against the ‘smaller sides’.
This makes it pretty obvious that Carrick needs to start using his striker instead of forcing players into the role unnaturally, which works when United don’t have possession, but doesn’t when we have to break teams down.
Sesko needs to be starting against Everton, who will present a similar challenge to United, and he has proven he can step up at big moments, score a variety of goals and now deserves a run in the starting team.
Benjamin Sesko is averaging a goal every 48 minutes over his last six appearances
Should Sesko be starting more games for United?
Michael Carrick on Benjamin Sesko after the game
Carrick will be ruing the decision not to start Sesko and also to wait so long before turning to him from the bench.
After the game, Carrick was quoted by Rich Fay having praising Sesko.
“It is a fantastic finish. He has done it again. It was important we threw everything at it at the end and had a lot of forwards on the pitch.”
Carrick also discussed Sesko with the BBC after the game.
“It is not surprising that is what Ben [Sesko] has got in him. He is dangerous in and around the box. That’s two really important goals for him – one to get a point and the other to get a win. Delighted for him.”
Sesko has saved Carrick twice now, earning the win against Fulham and the draw against West Ham, and without him, the record under Carrick would be looking very different.
Carrick needs to learn from this London Stadium experience and come to the Hill Dickinson Stadium in a fortnight with a better plan, and that should involve Sesko starting.
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