Troy Deeney has singled out one Manchester United star for praise following Michael Carrick’s 3-2 win over Fulham in the Premier League.
Manchester United left it late as Benjamin Šeško’s stoppage time goal secured a 3-2 Premier League win over Fulham on Sunday.
United began well, with Amad and Harry Maguire both denied early on, while Senne Lammens made a sharp save at the other end. The breakthrough came just before 20 minutes when Casemiro met Bruno Fernandes’ free kick at the back post and headed home.
Ahead 1-0 at half time, United were tested by a stronger Fulham side after the restart. A fine strike from Matheus Cunha doubled the lead, but Raúl Jiménez pulled one back from the penalty spot after winning the foul. In added time, Kevin fired in an excellent effort to make it 2-2.
With the game set for a draw, substitute Šeško struck late to seal all three points, giving Michael Carrick three wins from three and keeping United in the top four.
Deeney full of praise for Šeško
Earlier this season, former Watford striker Troy Deeney hit out at Šeško for what he perceived to be a terrible signing from United, claiming the 22-year-old played like a ‘baby giraffe’ and had no strength or technique to his game.
However, when analysing the Slovenian’s goal for BBC Sport Match of the Day, the Englishman admitted that it was a ‘really important’ touch, turn, and finish from Šeško to secure the three points.
“Really good play,” Deeney explained. “He’s on the move. It’s not a great run. This touch is really important because there’s nowhere else he can put it after that. Kills the ball in front of him and just sees his body can’t turn fully, so it’s a wonderful hit.
“And then just to think of where he’s been, 2 in 17 under [Rúben] Amorim, and now 4 in 4 since Amorim’s left, and he hasn’t started the last two games. So it’s really great for him and really great for Man United.”
Šeško’s team-first mentality will help United
In the past, United have had problems whenever they’ve had decent depth in attacking areas, with those such as Alejandro Garnacho feeling aggrieved whenever they weren’t selected for the starting XI.
However, in the last few games under Carrick, it has actually been those on the bench who have won the games against Manchester City, Arsenal, and Fulham.
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Cunha provided the assist for Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu’s goal against City and scored the winner against the Gunners, and Šeško netted the late winning goal against Fulham after coming off the bench.
It is these two players in particular, two who understand that football is a team sport and you can have just as much of an impact off the bench as you can from the start, that could play a major part in helping United get over the line for Champions League spots.
Carrick’s main task has been to get the squad playing as a complete unit, both on and off the field, regardless of who starts and who is on the bench. The team-first mentality that the likes of Šeško and Cunha show is going to be a big part of the rest of the campaign.
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