“Game changer”: United hotshot’s blistering form is a dream come true for Carrick, says Gary Neville

Manchester United continued their fine form under Michael Carrick this weekend, coming from behind to beat Crystal Palace by two goals to one at Old Trafford. Bruno Fernandes‘ penalty early in the second half was added to by a superb Benjamin Sesko header just after the hour mark, moving United into third place in the Premier League. Sesko’s winner was his seventh goal since the start of the calendar year and added to his catalogue of crucial strikes in recent weeks. Gary Neville says Sesko could be key to strong finish Despite his upturn in form in 2026, Benjamin Sesko has still faced question marks over his suitability to lead the line for United, with the former club captain Gary Neville voicing his concerns over the Slovenian. However, even Neville seems to be slowly accepting that the big striker could be in for a fine finish to the campaign and grow into the role of United’s main man up top. Speaking on his Gary Neville Podcast, the Sky Sports pundit heaped praise on Sesko’s recent run after his latest match-winning moment. He said: “Sesko, the confidence, the goals. The finishes by the way that he’s put in, the West Ham (one), the Everton (one). The goals, they’re four brilliant goals by the way. “They’re all different. They’re all very different goals. One across the near post, one a header, one is a counter-attack with a side finish at the end. And then the Fulham one is the one on the turn. Where he’s had to turn.” Neville continued by saying the former Leipzig man has “definitely improved enormously” and tipped him to play a huge role between now and the end of the campaign after Carrick named him in his starting XI for the first time on Sunday. The United legend claimed: “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.” Neville described Sesko’s winner as a “proper header” and United fans will be desperate for the 22-year-old to add to his numbers in the crunch upcoming fixtures. What next for Sesko and United Despite the three points on Sunday, the sloppy start will be something Carrick will have an eye on after similarly slow openings in the previous fixtures against West Ham and Everton. Sesko’s intervention in the last three games has got United out of jail in matches they could have easily dropped points in, with his stoppage-time winner against Fulham prior to the aforementioned another game-winning, and points-saving, moment. Whilst there is no doubt the youngster is raw and rough around the edges, his ability to produce a big moment is a trait tailor-made for the Theatre of Dreams. Should he continue this form, United will surely have enough to finish in the top four places of the Premier League and deliver Champions League football back to the club next season. United’s next assignment comes on Wednesday night as Carrick and his troops travel to Newcastle to face Eddie Howe’s up-and-down side in what looks like a crucial game at St. James’ Park. If Sesko can conjure up another winner on Tyneside, United will be firmly in the box seat to secure one of those top four spots come the end of May. Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Conner Botterill Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for three years. A keen match-going red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology through the Open University. His favourite match attended was the Champions League victory in Paris under one the guidance of one of his idols, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.