Benjamin Sesko proved to be the match-winner as he scored in stoppage-time to help Manchester United edge Fulham in a Premier League classic at Old Trafford
Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee
Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee celebrate after Manchester United's win against Fulham(Image: Getty Images)
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Joshua Zirkzee showed his true colours as he was the first Manchester United player to run over to Benjamin Sesko after his winning goal against Fulham.
Sesko, 22, has endured a difficult start to life at Old Trafford since his £74million move from RB Leipzig last summer, but he stepped up to the plate with a match-winning moment, scoring in the 94th minute to secure United a dramatic 3-2 victory on Sunday afternoon.
The Slovenia international, who had found the net just five times in 20 matches going into the visit of Fulham, was introduced as a 74th minute substitute for Matheus Cunha and he had to wait until stoppage-time for his time to shine. Indeed, just moments after Fulham had made it 2-2 through Kevin, Bruno Fernandes set up Sesko to hammer the ball into the top corner and snatch all three points.
And as Sesko wheeled away to celebrate in the South-West corner, Zirkzee, who had been warming up, was the first United player to run across to the forward to celebrate with him, grabbing him and showing how delighted he was. That came as a surprise to some United fans as Sesko and Zirkzee have been battling for first-team minutes throughout most of the season.
But in that moment, Zirkzee displayed his class and character by congratulating Sesko and grabbing his shoulder before the rest of his United teammates made their way to him. Even after the full-time whistle was blown, Sesko and Zirkzee had another moment together and were both locked side-by-side.
Manchester United celebrate Benjamin Sesko's winner
Joshua Zirkzee and Benjamin Sesko celebrate Manchester United's winner
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Sesko and Zirkzee were both named on the bench to face Fulham as interim head coach Michael Carrick opted to pick Bryan Mbeumo as the central striker with Matheus Cunha and Amad Diallo either side.
With Carrick making a change up front, Cunha was brought off and Sesko was chosen as the man to come on instead of Zirkzee, who remained as an unused substitute.
Zirkzee has been linked with a move away from United this month and he has failed to play a single minute since Carrick became the club's new manager last month.
He wasn't included in the matchday squad to face Manchester City and Arsenal, and only got the call up to the bench for Fulham due to Patrick Dorgu's injury setback.
The Netherlands international's last appearance for the Reds came in the FA Cup defeat to Brighton in Darren Fletcher's final game in caretaker charge.
As for Sesko, he now has six goals for United and Carrick was full of praise for him post-match. "A huge moment," Carrick said. "I'm so, so pleased. Everyone in the changing room, players, staff, delighted for him, absolutely delighted for him. And the reception he got when he came back in the changing room, told us everything. He’s even confident, to be honest.
"We've worked with him a lot in different ways over the last couple of weeks. He's bright in training. He's looked dangerous, he's done extra.
"The coaches have done a lot of bits on the side and Travis [Binnion], particularly, he's done a lot of work one on one with him."