Michael Carrick believes Benjamin Sesko gives Manchester United an attacking dimension that few strikers can match after the Slovenian continued his impressive return to form.
Sesko scored in United’s 4-0 Champions League victory over Sabah on Thursday night, making it two goals in two games after also finding the net against Everton on Sunday.
It is exactly the kind of response Carrick will have wanted from the forward.
Sesko was forced to deal with an injury towards the end of last season, delaying his return to full fitness. But after working his way back into shape, the 23-year-old is quickly showing why he could become a crucial part of United’s attacking plans this season.
His goal against Sabah was another reminder of the qualities he can bring to Carrick’s frontline.
The United boss highlighted Sesko’s combination of size, speed and movement as a major difference-maker, particularly when defenders are forced to deal with his runs behind the defensive line.
“He offers a different kind of threat,” said Carrick on the tall, quick forward.
“That’s kind of the beauty of it – we know what Ben gives us and there are not many around who give you what Ben does, in terms of his physique, playing on the last line, his speed to run in behind.
“He’s a real threat and it’s great to have him back at this level after him working to get back fitness.”
Those qualities could prove especially valuable for United as Carrick continues to shape his preferred attacking approach.
Sesko does not simply give United another option in front of goal. His physical presence can stretch defensive lines, while his pace allows him to attack spaces that other forwards may struggle to reach.
That creates opportunities not only for himself but also for teammates looking to exploit the gaps his movement creates.
His back-to-back goals have therefore arrived at an important moment.
After spending much of the previous period recovering and rebuilding his fitness, Sesko is now beginning to find rhythm at precisely the time United will want their attacking players competing for places.
Carrick will also be encouraged by the fact that Sesko has made an immediate impact rather than needing an extended period to rediscover his sharpness.
The forward’s strike against Everton gave him his first goal of this latest run, before he followed it up against Sabah with another finish.
Two games, two goals and growing confidence.
For United, the biggest positive may be that Sesko still appears to have another level to reach as his fitness improves.
Carrick’s description of him as a “different kind of threat” underlines the value of having a forward capable of combining power and pace with intelligent movement.
With Sesko now finding the net regularly, United could have a dangerous weapon developing at exactly the right time.
And if his fitness continues to improve, Carrick may soon have an attacking option capable of causing even bigger problems for defenders across the season.
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