Michael Carrick opening weeks as Manchester United head coach have been defined by composure rather than fireworks. Results have followed, performances have looked controlled, and the mood around the squad feels noticeably steadier. But beneath that early calm lies a subtle problem, one that could grow louder as the season tightens.
United’s lack of fixtures may sound like a blessing in a demanding campaign, but for a new head coach trying to balance momentum with morale, it is fast becoming a double-edged sword. Carrick is learning that winning games is only half the job. Keeping players engaged is the harder part.
Dorgu’s rise and Cunha’s warning sign
Patrick Dorgu’s injury against Arsenal simplified Carrick’s team selection, but it also delayed an inevitable dilemma. Before that setback, the winger had been in electric form, scoring in back-to-back matches against Manchester City and Arsenal to secure the left-wing role in Carrick’s 4-2-3-1 system.
That surge, however, came at a cost elsewhere. Matheus Cunha, United’s £62.5 million summer signing, was reduced to a bench role despite delivering decisive contributions. An assist against City and a late winner at the Emirates underlined his value, even in limited minutes.
Carrick’s handling of Cunha was impressive. He publicly acknowledged the Brazilian’s frustration while praising his professionalism and impact. It was the kind of empathetic man-management that earns trust inside a dressing room. Yet Michael Carrick will know that patience has limits. Performances off the bench only remain motivating if they lead somewhere.
Why rotation is no longer an option
In a normal United season, Cunha’s situation would have been manageable. European fixtures, domestic cup ties, and natural squad rotation would offer opportunities to reward form without disrupting rhythm. This season offers none of that luxury.
With only league football remaining and just a couple of midweek rounds between now and May, Carrick’s options are limited. After Cunha’s match-winning contributions, leaving him out again for Fulham would have risked sending the wrong message that impact alone is not enough.
Dorgu’s injury, unfortunate as it was, removed the dilemma. Cunha returned to the starting XI, restoring balance before frustration could set in. But Michael Carrick knows this scenario will repeat itself. With just four games in February and four more in March, maintaining squad harmony across the final 14 matches could become his biggest test.
Sesko’s moment mirrors Cunha’s dilemma
The next decision already awaits and it centres on Benjamin Sesko. The £73 million striker impressed during Darren Fletcher’s interim spell but has found minutes hard to come by under Carrick. Across three matches, Sesko has played just 25 minutes. On the surface, it looks like stagnation. In reality, it tells a different story.
Sesko delivered what Carrick described as a “huge moment” against Fulham, scoring a dramatic 94th-minute winner. That goal extended his run to four goals in his last four appearances and reinforced his growing confidence. The parallels with Cunha are obvious. Sesko has done exactly what has been asked of him, stay patient, make an impact, change games.
Now Carrick faces the same question again. Can that confidence be sustained through occasional cameos? Or does the young striker need the reward of a start to keep momentum alive?
Why a start now feels inevitable
Logic and dressing-room psychology points to one answer. If impact from the bench does not lead to opportunity, belief begins to fade. Carrick has already shown he understands that balance with Cunha. Sesko now deserves the same treatment.
With Tottenham and West Ham coming in quick succession, the schedule offers a natural opening. A start would not just reward form; it would reinforce Carrick’s message that performance matters more than hierarchy.
For Sesko, it could be a breakthrough moment. For Carrick, it may be the clearest test yet of his leadership beyond the tactics board. And how he handles it could shape United’s run-in far more than any formation ever will.
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