Manchester United's Benjamin Sesko celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, February 23, 2026
Everton 0-1 Manchester United
by James Nalton
at Bramley-Moore Dock
MICHAEL CARRICK’S impressive start as Manchester United manager continued at Everton on Monday night when his introduction of Benjamin Sesko off the bench gave his side the win in a tough game.
It’s now six games unbeaten for Carrick, with five wins in that spell, and the club are in the Champions League qualification places ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool.
It wasn’t the most convincing of performances and both teams offered little in attack, but it was nevertheless a victory in one of the more rowdy atmospheres seen at Everton’s new stadium on the banks of the River Mersey.
The game was generally low on quality, but there was a competitive spirit about it. That, along with some of the refereeing decisions the home crowd felt went against their side, made for a challenging evening for a visiting team.
Though Sesko is yet to start under Carrick, the manager has used the big Slovenian to great effect as a substitute, taking advantage of more weary defences later on in games.
That was the case here. During a period in which Everton were on top, United broke and Bryan Mbeumo played a pass into space where Sesko outpaced James Tarkowski. The finish looked simple, but to execute it first time at such speed following a long sprint was not easy.
Sesko now has six goals in 2026 and is looking more and more like a very useful attacking weapon for United.
He has scored more goals under interim manager Darren Fletcher (3) and new boss Carrick (3) than he did under Ruben Amorim (2).
It reflects a turnaround at United under the new coaching team, which has seen them move up to fourth in the Premier League table and just three points behind third-place Aston Villa.
Everton, on the other hand, looked blunt in attack. There are glimpses of great individual quality from the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye, but they are short of a clear attacking structure. They lack the speed to go with the creativity and skill of the aforementioned pair.
Ultimately, though, the moment that meant Everton got nothing from this game highlighted a simple pace disadvantage in defence. Sesko beat Tarkowski in a sprint and finished with aplomb.
Sometimes it is merely about winning a race and Carrick’s United are now well in the running to qualify for the Champions League.
