Manchester United's Champions League opener against Sabah FK was unlikely to provide a true test of their credentials in Europe's top competition, with the Azerbaijani champions expected to be among the weakest sides the club will face in this season's league phase. Still, the comfortable outing at Old Trafford offered head coach Michael Carrick some valuable insight into his squad, particularly regarding striker Benjamin Sesko.
Sesko made his first start since last March's clash with Liverpool, when a persistent shin problem forced him to accept he could no longer continue playing through the pain. The Slovenian international had been expected to be fit for the beginning of the Premier League campaign, but instead was limited to substitute appearances in the second half against Hull, Ipswich and Everton.
Against Sabah, however, Sesko was fit enough to start, and the difference was evident. Standing at 6ft 5in, the 23-year-old brings a physical dimension that none of United's other forwards currently possess. With Amad Diallo still sidelined, Carrick has been unable to deploy Bryan Mbeumo through the middle as he did in pre-season, leaving Matheus Cunha as the central option. While talented, Cunha tends to drop deep and drift wide, often leaving space at the tip of United's attack.
Sesko offers a contrasting profile. He occupies defenders, is difficult to dispossess, and drives at opponents rather than retreating from them. Against Everton, his aerial presence allowed him to nod home a close-range header, though that lead was later cancelled out by Ainsley Maitland-Niles' spectacular strike. Against Sabah, Sesko again demonstrated his instincts in front of goal—after an audacious first-half back-heel flick, he was released in behind by a Mbeumo pass, calmly rounding goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov and rolling the ball into an empty net.
"Of course, I'm happy with my goal," Sesko told TNT after the match. "I saw him rushing out, and it was a great opportunity to take the ball away from him and make the goal a little bit easier."
Carrick praised the striker's unique attributes following the win. "He definitely offers a different kind of threat," the United boss said. "That's the beauty of it, really. We know what Ben gives us. There's not many around that kind of give you what Ben does in terms of his physique, his physicality, playing on the last line and his speed to run in behind. He's a real threat. It's great to have him back at this level after working to get his fitness back. A couple of goals and good performances, and good minutes in him. I'm really pleased with the way he's gone."
The timing of Sesko's return to full fitness presents Carrick with a significant decision ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford. The United manager must now weigh whether to continue trusting Sesko as his central striker or revert to Cunha, especially with no clear timetable for Amad's return.
Based on Sesko's recent form, there is a strong case for him to keep his place. That would leave Carrick with a further question over who partners him on the left—Cunha, who opened the scoring against Sabah, or Marcus Rashford, an unused substitute on the night. Rashford has yet to register a goal or assist since returning to Old Trafford following his loan spell at Barcelona, but his pace and directness have made him United's most consistent attacking outlet. Cunha's tendency to drift into areas similar to captain Bruno Fernandes, who also found the net against Sabah, could ultimately persuade Carrick that Rashford's more direct approach better suits United's structure moving forward.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.