Michael Carrick’s next major obstacle in his scintillating run as Manchester United interim head coach will see him arrive at St James’ Park for a tough test against Newcastle — and here is what I want to see.
The 44-year-old Manchester United legend is on cloud nine after chalking up his sixth win from seven Premier League matches in charge at Old Trafford so far.
The Red Devils have only dropped Premier League points against West Ham in a 1-1 draw last month and United completed a 2-1 comeback win against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.
United In Focus has now previewed six different details for United fans to keep an eye out for in the Red Devils’ visit to St James’ Park on Wednesday evening.
READ MORE:‘Good player’: Bruno Fernandes explains how ‘confidence’ can transform Benjamin Sesko into ‘much better’ striker
Michael Carrick speaks with Benjamin Sesko during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, in 2026.
Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Only one striker is on form in 2026: How relieved are you that Man Utd beat Newcastle to Sesko?!
Sesko has exploded into life, and Woltemade has gone backwards
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1. Will Benjamin Sesko’s run of form continue for Man Utd in the Newcastle match?
Benjamin Sesko made his first Premier League start under Michael Carrick at the weekend and the Manchester United summer signing had an impact once again.
The 22-year-old striker netted Man Utd’s second-half winner against Crystal Palace and ensured that Carrick’s men walked away with all three Premier League points.
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Sesko has been in a stunning run of form in recent weeks and the Slovenian forward has now scored seven times in his last eight matches across all competitions.
With the Slovenia international expected to lead the frontline once again, all eyes will be on the in-form Sesko to deliver again in the final third against Newcastle.
READ MORE:Ian Wright and Dion Dublin react to Benjamin Sesko and Bruno Fernandes link-up for Man Utd winner vs Crystal Palace
2. Can Amad Diallo have a ‘super sub’ impact like Benjamin Sesko has done under Michael Carrick?
Sesko’s return to the starting XI at Old Trafford on Sunday evening came at the cost of Amad Diallo dropping to the bench for the Premier League clash against Palace.
Amad Diallo climbed off the bench in the second half after he replaced striker Sesko and the 23-year-old Ivorian forward had a brief cameo appearance on the day.
I now want to see how the Ivory Coast international does in the same position that Sesko found himself in under United legend Carrick in recent weeks at the club.
Amad has his work cut out for him in climbing back into the Man Utd XI, but I can’t help but see this being as a major motivational boost for the talented winger.
READ MORE:‘Improved enormously’: Gary Neville compares Benjamin Sesko with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo after Man Utd win
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3. Leny Yoro’s defensive setback against Crystal Palace can’t come back to haunt him against Man Utd
Leny Yoro has had his chance to secure important United first-team minutes under Carrick after an injury setback to key defender Lisandro Martinez in recent weeks.
I think the 20-year-old has done well in starting alongside Harry Maguire, but I think Leny Yoro really has to improve with his awareness in key moments on the pitch.
Yoro switched off during the Palace match at Old Trafford and allowed Maxence Lacroix all the time in the world to net past Senne Lammens from a corner kick.
I know the United defender can — and should — do better in that situation against Palace and I hope he can bounce back from the minor setback in the 2-1 win.
READ MORE:‘Rarely makes’ mistakes: Senne Lammens’ Man Utd heroics have Micah Richards and Gary Lineker in complete awe
Michael Carrick with Bryan Mbeumo during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, in 2026.
Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
4. Bryan Mbeumo’s recent Man Utd position change — and a more meaningful impact against Newcastle are needed
Sesko’s introduction to the Man Utd starting XI against Palace also saw Bryan Mbeumo shift back to the right winger role after his position change recently.
Carrick had been playing Bryan Mbeumo as his lone forward option before Sesko made his presence known as an impact sub for the Red Devils since January.
Mbeumo was relatively quiet in the Palace match compared with Matheus Cunha, who was on the left wing and won the penalty for United in the second half.
The 26-year-old has been a standout performer at United since his 2025 arrival from Brentford and I’m hoping to see him play a more influential role on Wednesday.
READ MORE:‘The balance’: Michael Carrick breaks down why Matheus Cunha ‘looked dangerous’ in Man Utd’s one vs ones vs Palace
5. The curious case of Manuel Ugarte at Man Utd under Michael Carrick
I sometimes forget that Manuel Ugarte is even in the Man Utd first-team squad at times after his fall down the pecking order under interim boss Carrick recently.
Carrick has relied on the midfield pivot of Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte has been left to make sporadic second-half cameos under the United legend.
Ugarte’s future at Man Utd is looking bleaker as the 2025-26 Premier League season progresses and I would not be surprised if he were sold in the summer window.
However, I think the Newcastle match could be a moment where the 24-year-old Uruguayan midfielder has the chance to put in a solid shift if he is called upon.
READ MORE: Benjamin Sesko snubbed from BBC Team of the Week as ‘leader’ Bruno Fernandes is only Man Utd player picked
6. Man Utd must complete a Premier League double over Newcastle at St James’ Park on Wednesday evening
United have not completed a Premier League double over Newcastle since the 2020-21 season, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the Old Trafford hot seat at the time.
The Red Devils overcame the Magpies earlier in the 2025-26 season, with United sealing a 1-0 win over Newcastle on Boxing Day thanks to Patrick Dorgu’s strike.
I feel Carrick is best placed to ensure that United complete a ‘double’ over Newcastle in the Premier League for the first time since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign.
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