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WEDNESDAY | FEB 25, 2026

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Devils on a roll Carrick hails attitude of United match-winner Sesko after 1-0 win over Everton

M ANCHESTER UNITED interim head coach Michael Carrick praised match-winner Benjamin Sesko’s attitude after the striker came off the bench to score for the third time in four matches in the 1-0 victory at Everton. The Slovenia striker has yet to start in Carrick’s six matches in charge, but has con tributed two winners and a late equaliser to maintain the former midfielder’s unbeaten start following his initial short-term appoint ment. Sesko has scored six in his last seven appearances, but has still not managed to force his way into the starting line-up and, while Carrick said there was maybe some frus tration for the £66 million (RM356m) summer signing, the 22-year-old was not complaining. “I get why everyone’s talking about it and making a bigger deal of it, but I’ve got a really good relationship with Ben,” said Carrick. “I’ve got no problem with Ben and he hasn’t got an issue. He obviously wants to play, but I can’t speak highly enough of how he’s been and the work he’s putting in and his attitude to come on and do what he’s done again. “We’ve had some really good conversations and he’s in a really good place, and part of us is helping him take his steps in development and growing him as a player. “Sometimes that’s little steps, sometimes that’s bigger steps and he’s taken some huge steps recently. That’s great to see.” Carrick also had praise for Senne Lammens, who kept United’s first League clean sheet away from home since last March. “For me a goalkeeper has to be reliable, be trustworthy,” he said. “Instead of creating a chaos, you want him to take the chaos away and calm things down. I think Senne does that.” you want him to take the chaos away alm things down. I think Senne does

delighted with a third clean sheet in six games. United had held opponents goalless just twice in 29 matches this season before Carrick’s arrival. “We had to do a lot of work. Credit to Everton they made it difficult, made us defend our box a lot. The spirit with which we defended the box was top class,” added Carrick. United have been transformed since Ruben Amorim was sacked. They have taken 16 points from a possible 18 under Carrick, a charge that is putting them on a path towards the Champions League. – The Independent/AFP

making the difference.” United did not hit the height of sparkling performances to beat title challengers Arsenal and Manchester City in Carrick’s first two matches in charge during an uninspired clash at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. But the former Middlesbrough boss was

Everton tried to put Lammens under pres sure by stationing a number of players near him at a series of corners in the second half, but to no avail. Toffees boss David Moyes con ceded it was a plan that failed. The Scot said: “The goalie was bloody bril liant. The save he made from Michael Keane, the way he dealt with the corners. “We hoped somewhere we’d have got a nick on one of them with the pressure we had in those situations. I thought we would get one, but we didn’t. For me he was the best player on the pitch.” Everton have won just four of their 14 Premier League games at their new stadium and Moyes accepts his side are still adapting. He said: “I think there is probably a change – other teams come here and enjoy it. There are things about it which are different and we have to get used to. “But I think our games are better than at Goodison. Our team is better this year and it wasn’t as if we were winning every game at Goodison, to be honest.” In a game low on drama, the goal came from a sweeping move. Everton, who had been the more positive in the second half, may regret committing too many men forward, leaving themselves open to the counter-attack. Sesko was involved twice in a move that involved their three big summer signings. He laid the ball off to Matheus Cunha, who sprayed a diagonal pass to release Bryan Mbeumo. He was confronted only by Michael Keane and squared the ball for Sesko, who had run 70 yards to slide in a shot. “It was a ruthless finish, I like the way he put it away with real confidence,” said Carrick. “Great play from Matheus and Bryan to set it up. Delighted for Ben again, coming on and put it away with real confidenc “Great play from Matheus and up. Delighted for Ben again,

Benjamin Sesko (left) celebrates scoring Man United’s first goal with teammates during yesterday’s English Premier League match against Everton. – AFPPIC

Dark clouds over Bernabeu - Story on page 29

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