Stunning claim: Neville believes Carrick 'had doubts' over one in-form Man United star
Manchester United came from behind to beat Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.
Old Trafford was stunned into silence just four minutes in as Maxence Lacroix rifled Palace into an early lead.
The Eagles were reduced to 10 men after Lacroix picked up a straight red card for a foul inside the box.
Bruno Fernandes coolly restored parity from the spot before Benjamin Sesko once again proved the difference with a clinical, match-winning strike.
Former United captain Gary Neville said after the game that Carrick had initial doubts about Sesko, but he had ‘improved enormously’ over the last few weeks.
He said (via Sky Sports): “He’s definitely improved enormously. Michael Carrick never picked him in the team by the way until today. That’s the first time Michael Carrick has started him.
“So he’s obviously had doubts about him in terms of not being right or not being quite there. But what he seems to have done in the four or five weeks whilst having him as a sub is bring him on and then he had an angry celebration against Everton.
“So I think now he’s working Sesko into form. That’s a game changer for United. They can’t have another centre-forward coming to the club and failing.”
Benjamin Sesko was unfairly criticised
We do not believe that Carrick doubted the qualities possessed by Sesko.
The leap from RB Leipzig to Manchester United is enormous, and at just 22, Sesko was always going to face a steep adaptation curve.
Any young striker would need time to adjust to the relentless pace and bruising physicality of the Premier League.
If Neville or other pundits expected a 20-goal league haul in his debut season, that expectation was wildly unrealistic.
United pursued Sesko because they saw a young forward with elite potential capable of leading the line for years to come.
The additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were designed to provide instant firepower, given their proven experience in English football.
Carrick was also smart to shield Sesko from immediate pressure rather than thrusting him straight into the spotlight.
Introducing him against tiring defenders allowed the Slovenian to grow in confidence and make a meaningful impact off the bench.
With six goals in the last seven games, Sesko has shown why United were hell-bent on recruiting him last summer.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .