Benjamin Sesko has yet to start for Manchester United under Michael Carrick, but his incredible goalscoring record from the bench is making it increasingly difficult to keep him out of the starting line-up.
The Slovenian has become Michael Carrick’s go-to man from the bench when a goal is needed, with two winners and an equaliser for Manchester United in the five games.
After scoring the winner against Everton, Benjamin Sesko is closer than ever to a start. Particularly against Palace, Sesko is the perfect option to start up top for United.
Here’s why…
Benjamin Sesko shouting in celebration for Manchester United.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Why Benjamin Sesko suits Manchester United to face Crystal Palace
Under Carrick so far, Sesko has become one of the league’s best goal scorers, scoring every 46 minutes that he’s been on the pitch, which is a ridiculous record. This form continued against Everton, but there remains doubt over whether Sesko starts against Palace.
However, the qualities Sesko brings to United mean he simply needs to start against Palace, for one particular reason, that being the additional set-piece threat he brings.
Should Benjamin Sesko start for Man Utd vs Crystal Palace?
Benjamin Sesko celebrates scoring during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, England in 2026.
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
Palace are ranked the fourth-worst team in the league for conceding from set-pieces, and so it feels logical that United should lean into that considering the low-block Oliver Glasner is likely to set up.
The South London side has conceded 12 all season, beaten only by West Ham, Liverpool and Bournemouth.
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So with the evident weakness, United should be confident at exploiting this, having scored two set-piece goals at Selhurst Park earlier this season, and hold one of the best attacking records from set-pieces in the league this season.
With all of this in mind, it makes complete sense to start the 6ft 5in Slovenian striker who is bang in form and an obvious set-piece threat. Sesko scored from a corner against Brighton, and if he starts against Palace, there is a good chance he does it again.
This season, Sesko ranks in the 94th percentile for his aerial duel winning rate in the Premier League, which just says all Carrick needs to know, he needs to start this one.
Whether it be set-pieces or crosses, Sesko offers United the chance to score without unlocking a deep and solid defence, other forward options do not.
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Sesko can be Michael Carrick’s low-block antidote
United are sure to face another side set up defensively on Sunday at Old Trafford, and after back-to-back games in which the decision to play Bryan Mbeumo or Matheus Cunha up front backfired, starting Sesko seems like the obvious decision to make.
United’s 2025 summer attacking trio combined for their first goal against Everton, and should be the starting front three against Palace, with Sesko leading the line a potential lock-breaker to the low-block.
When teams sit back, United struggle to break them down, with crosses a non-option given the short forwards in the box, or rather around the box as they rarely get into the area.
Sesko gives United this option and the long-ball option. Meanwhile, Sesko’s blistering pace for United gives the team an outlet and the chance to hit a counter if afforded the chance.
Carrick has watched other striking options fail in recent weeks, so going unchanged again would be concerning and the first question against him getting made permanent.
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