MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has dismissed suggestions that Benjamin Sesko should be brought into the starting line-up after the striker’s impressive performance off the bench, describing the situation as “a positive thing” for the club.
Sesko has not started a Premier League match since scoring twice in a 2-2 draw with Burnley last month when caretaker manager Darren Fletcher was in charge.
The Slovenian striker, signed last year for an initial fee of 76.5 million euros, has scored three goals in his last four games after coming on as a substitute.
“I think overall it’s a positive thing. It’s not a result I look at negatively,” Carrick told reporters ahead of the home game against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
“We played well as a team, we won games. I’m still not carried away by the thought that it will continue… Ben has been so good in so many ways for us. It’s not a drama.
“It just proves the quality Ben has based on what he’s produced in the last few weeks. It’s a good position for us.”
Carrick was also asked why his starting line-up had been so similar in recent matches and the former midfielder said he faced a difficult task between maintaining the team’s winning momentum and keeping the whole squad happy.
United are unbeaten since Carrick took over, winning five Premier League games and drawing one to climb to fourth.
“It’s definitely something we’re aware of… This is a challenge managing a team. There are a lot of positives and results we’ve gotten from playing well, mostly winning games,” he said.
“There is a balance but certainly one positive thing is that we are in a good form. Even though sometimes the same players are in the middle of the pitch, match after match we have changed things.”
Carrick said more can be expected from Harry Maguire as questions over the star defender’s contract arise.
The 32-year-old is in the final year of his contract and Carrick stressed the importance of keeping a leader like Maguire, especially with the departure of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro at the end of the season.
“Experience is very important. Harry has gained a lot of experience in many ways through this club… We’ve seen that with Harry’s performances recently, what he’s brought to the team and how important he is.”