"Benjamin Sesko: A Blend of Power and Tactics. Is Time on His Side?"

Manchester United’s recent fixture at the London Stadium served as a reminder that not every match under Michael Carrick’s interim stewardship would be straightforward. With West Ham United defending deep in a compact 4-5-1 formation, United struggled to carve out clear opportunities, facing the familiar difficulties of breaking down a resolute defensive side.

Tomas Souček’s 50th-minute opener appeared to echo past frustrations at this venue, where the Hammers have repeatedly caused United headaches in recent seasons. The club, in a period of tactical adjustment and squad turnover, found their traditional wide play stifled. The absence of explosive wingers suited to Carrick’s gradually evolving system left the team reliant on patient, methodical build-up play — and it rarely yielded clear-cut chances.

Despite their aesthetic limitations, West Ham’s approach was effective. They sought to narrow United’s passing corridors, smother creativity, and leverage their experience in the “ugly” side of the game. United, in turn, attempted inventive set-piece routines, such as a first-half corner that saw Aaron Wan-Bissaka clear Luke Shaw’s header off the line, and Casemiro’s second-half header that was ruled out for the narrowest of offsides by VAR. Yet for much of the match, the Hammers appeared to have locked United out entirely.

Enter Benjamin Sesko. Introduced in the 69th minute for Matheus Cunha, the Slovenian striker demonstrated precisely why he is becoming a standout figure for the club. Standing 6ft 5in (196cm), Sesko combines the raw power of a sledgehammer with the subtlety needed to unlock stubborn defences. His 96th-minute equaliser — following his 94th-minute winner against Fulham earlier this month — epitomised this duality. Reacting swiftly to Bryan Mbeumo’s cross, Sesko outjumped Axel Disasi and executed a perfectly weighted one-touch finish into the top corner, leaving goalkeeper Mads Hermansen helpless.

Carrick praised the striker’s contribution: “A fantastic finish. He’s done it again, it’s important. We threw everything at the end and had a lot of forwards on the pitch.” Sesko, meanwhile, remained humble post-match: “I am happy with my finish, but not with the draw. We deserved more, but sometimes luck isn’t on your side.”

Sesko’s recent form hints at a shift in United’s attacking dynamics. A substitute in each of Carrick’s first five matches, his impact from the bench has forced questions over whether he should now start. His six Premier League goals this season — five of which have come in the past six games — speak to a player arriving at his peak confidence.

With Everton next on February 23, Sesko may well start, offering Carrick a tantalising new option up front — a striker capable of both brute force and delicate ingenuity.