Carrick’s Impact: Revitalizing Manchester United’s Season

Michael Carrick was appointed as the manager following the departure of Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim. Darren Fletcher temporarily took charge for two matches, during which the team faced an alarming 111-year low by exiting the FA Cup prematurely.

A revitalization was urgently needed, and Carrick, a former Premier League and Champions League title winner, has delivered just that. His tenure began with a remarkable victory over Manchester City, securing derby bragging rights.

This impressive start was complemented by another significant win against league leaders Arsenal, where United triumphed with a narrow 3-2 victory. The team has since battled to maintain a top-four position, recently earning a victory against Fulham, despite the Cottagers equalizing in the 91st minute. However, a swift response saw Sesko score the winner just minutes later, igniting jubilant celebrations.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Sesko emphasized Carrick’s encouragement for the team to play with more freedom, attributing their recent resurgence to improved collective effort: “It’s true, he has said these things many times to the team. That’s exactly what we are doing. But it’s not just that; you can see how much we work hard for each other. The work rate is definitely different, and that’s what counts.”

Sesko was signed by former manager Amorim for £74 million ($102 million), placing considerable pressure on the young forward. Now 22 years old, he has scored six goals, four of which have come in his last four matches. Reflecting on his recent performances, Sesko remarked, “Scoring the winner at home was unbelievable. We are enjoying a great run, and I’m thrilled to contribute to the team’s success.”

Manchester United currently sits fourth in the Premier League, firmly in the race for Champions League qualification. The Slovenian international is committed to helping his team achieve their objectives: “The aim is to continue like this. We have to work hard and stay focused in every moment to achieve great results.”

Despite their impressive run, United’s position is precarious, being just one point ahead of Chelsea and two clear of rivals Liverpool, indicating that significant work remains in their pursuit of European football.

Fortunately for United, they are not burdened by any cup competitions, allowing them to concentrate on league play. They will face Tottenham at Old Trafford next Saturday, where Carrick will be eager to secure a victory against his former club, building his case for a permanent managerial position beyond the 2025-26 season.