Michael Carrick makes Benjamin Sesko claim after Man Utd draw with West Ham

Michael Carrick during Man Utd’s draw with West Ham (Picture: Getty)

Michael Carrick insists Benjamin Sesko is ready to ‘kick on’ in his Manchester United career after his brilliant equaliser against West Ham .

West Ham were just minutes away from a huge win over United at the London Stadium when substitute Sesko scored a superb injury-time equaliser .

Relegation-battlers West Ham led through Tomas Soucek’s neat finish shortly after a quiet first half and appeared to be on the verge of three points in their bid to avoid relegation.

But Sesko turned home Bryan Mbeumo ’s cross with a fantastic finish to earn Manchester United a point and maintain Carrick’s unbeaten record as caretaker manager.

Sesko endured a difficult start to his Old Trafford career following a £74m summer move from RB Leipzig but has now scored five goals in his last six appearances.

‘It’s an unbelievable finish, with that angle and to generate that power,’ Carrick said of Sesko’s dramatic injury-time equaliser. ‘It’s some goal from him.

‘He’s capable of that, Ben. He’s done it over time, it’s not like he’s just burst onto the scene. He’s been doing it and proven he can score goals.

Benjamin Sesko celebrates his equaliser against West Ham (Picture: Getty)

‘He’s been doing it in training for us as well so it’s not surprising to be honest. It’s what he’s does, it’s what he’s good at.

‘The last goal would have done him the world of good and tonight is another important goal and a big moment for him and us.’

Asked whether he was tempted to start Sesko against West Ham and if that could be an option going forward, Carrick added: ‘It’s always about the balance.

BENJAMIN SESKO, TAKE A BOW 💫WHAT A FINISH! @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/dgdZSVlvgn — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 10, 2026

‘The boys that have played have done fantastically well so it’s about the importance of the whole group and the whole squad.

‘Ben’s doing a lot of work, he’s in a good place and he’s ready to kick on. It’s just about managing the balance.

‘We could have changed things a bit earlier, we’re always trying to make the right decision. But certainly when he came on the pitch he made a big difference.’

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Discussing the game more generally, Carrick said: ‘It was a tough game, we expected that really. I don’t think we were at our best in terms of sharpness and attacking side of the game.

‘So sometimes you have to make the most of what the night throws at you. Credit to the boys for coming back again, it is a great trait to have in the team.

‘There are positives to take from it, you can’t win every game, we certainly didn’t want to come away from here without a point.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham were close to a huge win (Picture: Getty)

‘We have to give credit to West Ham, they defended well and closed spaces of. We just lacked that spark. I won’t be too harsh on the boys, we will learn from tonight and come back strong.’

The stalemate in east London leaves Manchester United fourth in the Premier League , while West Ham stay 18th, two points from safety.

Hammers goalscorer Soucek said: ‘It is tough to take, I am here to save us from relegation and this draw was tough to take.

‘We wanted the three points to go closer and closer but we have to take positives. There are still so many games.

‘If we play like this five or six games we will win them and get out of relegation. We are getting closer and going in the right direction.

‘You can see all fans are with us because we all have one job and one goal – to be in the Premier League next season.’

Due to being knocked out of the FA Cup, Manchester United now have almost two weeks off before returning to Premier League action against Everton.

West Ham, meanwhile, face League One strugglers Burton Albion on Saturday as they look to book their place in the next round of the FA Cup.