Michael Carrick has big decisions to make when he names his Manchester United line-up to face Tottenham, with players like Benjamin Sesko raising arguments to start.
Manchester United have spent this week preparing to face Tottenham, knowing that a win would be enough to keep Michael Carrick’s side fourth in the Premier League.
Carrick faces his former club at a time when he could make it four wins in as many games as the United head coach. In doing so, Carrick would achieve two feats that Ruben Amorim was unable to during his 14-month reign at Old Trafford.
Amorim, 40, never won four games in a row. United also failed to beat Tottenham while he was in charge.
How many wins in a row will Michael Carrick make it now?
Three wins from three… it's a perfect start!
Carrick
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So, that means Carrick has a chance to continue breaking the right records, but first United must get over the line against a side they haven’t beaten in the previous eight attempts.
Carrick hasn’t made too many changes to the starting line-up in his first game back at the club – United’s 2-0 win over Man City – apart from being forced into replacing Patrick Dorgu due to a hamstring injury.
With no players returning from injury, United In Focus takes a look at possibly the strongest XI to face Tottenham on Saturday.
Michael Carrick celebrates with Benjamin Sesko at Old Trafford
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Michael Carrick has difficult Benjamin Sesko decision to make
There have been far more positives than negatives surrounding United since Carrick returned to take control of the team for the remainder of the season.
Trust is building between Carrick and United fans with each positive result, as many of us are happy to see changes like having a back four and stars playing in their best positions.
It’s not rocket science. For that reason, Carrick is unlikely to make many changes to his team that beat Fulham last week.
Perhaps one of the biggest discussion points is whether Benjamin Sesko deserves his first start under Carrick.
What impact will this winning goal have for Benjamin Sesko’s Man Utd career?
What a moment!
The Slovenian striker shone in two games under Darren Fletcher but has been a substitute in all three under Carrick.
However, Sesko delivered after coming off the bench with a stoppage-time winner against Fulham. It was a huge moment for the 22-year-old in front of the Stretford End.
Sesko has four goals in his last four appearances for United, which shows the type of trajectory that will get him into the line-up.
The question becomes who should Carrick leave out? It doesn’t help Sesko’s case that Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo are all in brilliant form.
United’s lack of games available this season doesn’t help. That makes it difficult to reward players who make an impression from the bench.
It remains to be seen if Carrick will start Sesko against Tottenham or wait for one of the other fixtures to task him with leading the line from the beginning of a match.
Potential Manchester United line-up to face Tottenham
Thomas Frank’s side may sit 14th in the Premier League, but Tottenham will be trying to cause an upset at Old Trafford.
It bodes well that United are growing in confidence but that will take a hit if Tottenham come out on top on Saturday.
Senne Lammens will keep his place between the sticks in front of Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw.
The midfield will also remain the same with Casemiro partnered by Kobbie Mainoo, while Fernandes occupies the No. 10 role.
Mbeumo should continue to lead the line as Amad and Cunha take up the wide positions.
How would you line Manchester United up against Tottenham?
Agree with our team? What changes would you make? 🤔
Predicted XI vs Tottenham
This line-up would mean no changes from the victory over Fulham.
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