Gary Neville gets what he wants after Michael Carrick Man Utd U-turn vs Crystal Palace

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Manchester United icon Gary Neville saw his request for Benjamin Sesko to lead the line fulfilled in the Premier League triumph over Crystal Palace . The forward was included in United's starting line-up for the first time under Michael Carrick .

The choice came after he made an impact from the substitutes' bench to net the decisive strike in a 1-0 success against Everton six days earlier . Having been handed an opportunity from the outset, Sesko seized it emphatically.

Despite Palace establishing an early advantage in the opening half, United fought back into the contest when they were awarded a spot-kick in the second period. The incident also resulted in Palace being reduced to ten men.

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With the scoreline at 1-1, Sesko rose in the 65th minute to guide his header beyond Dean Henderson and secure the lead for United. It proved to be the match-winning strike once more.

The goal was Sesko's eighth in the Premier League this campaign. It follows Neville championing calls for him to feature in the starting XI for the first time under Carrick.

Speaking on Stick to Football last week, he said: "In terms of Sesko he's going to play him at the weekend, you would think now, he's definitely grown, a little bit like [Viktor] Gyokeres in these last few weeks."

The former full-back also indicated that the striker appears 'quicker and more powerful' than earlier in the season. It was a judgement that former United colleague Roy Keane shared.

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Back in December, Keane emphasised the crucial element he wanted from Sesko, which he has now delivered.

After the striker squandered a one-on-one chance in the 2-1 loss against Aston Villa , he said: "We talk about players' confidence, these are big moments.

"When it comes to him did we actually believe he was going to score? Did he believe he was going to score?

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"A player with a bit more confidence, these are big chances for a player trying to get his career up and running and he has really got to take them. The only encouragement I have for him is he has had one or two chances, so that will lift his spirits a little bit."

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