Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick has played down the growing calls for Benjamin Sesko to become a regular starter, insisting the striker’s current role is “a real positive” rather than a problem. Sesko has been one of United’s most effective weapons in recent weeks, making a habit of stepping off the bench and instantly raising the tempo. But Carrick’s stance is clear: the team is winning, the group is improving, and there is “no drama” behind the scenes.

It’s an interesting situation, because the numbers make the argument feel obvious. Sesko has delivered goals and decisive moments without starting matches, including a run of strong substitute performances that have kept United’s momentum going. In modern football, impact players can be just as valuable as starters. Carrick is essentially saying this is not a crisis to “fix”  it’s a strength to manage.

Why Sesko Is the Talking Point Right Now

Sesko’s recent form has been hard to ignore. He has scored three goals in his last four appearances, all coming after he entered as a substitute. Those goals have not been “stat-padding” either. They have been meaningful, late-match interventions that swing results and protect points. When a forward keeps doing that, supporters naturally ask the next question: why isn’t he starting?

Carrick’s answer is calm and straightforward. He believes the bigger picture matters more than the noise around one selection debate. United have been playing well as a team, and he does not want a positive situation to become a distraction.

Carrick’s Key Message: Team Form Comes First

Coaches love reliable patterns. Carrick has largely kept a stable starting XI during his early run in charge, and it’s paid off. United are unbeaten in six matches since he took over, with five wins and one draw, a stretch that has pushed them up to fourth place in the Premier League. With that kind of return, managers rarely feel pressured to reinvent everything at once.

That doesn’t mean Carrick is blind to Sesko’s form. If anything, he’s praising it. He’s simply framing the situation differently: having a striker who can flip a match late on is a luxury, not a headache. And if the team continues to win, Carrick sees no reason to turn the conversation into a controversy.

“Not a drama” — the dressing-room tone

One of the strongest signals from Carrick is how he describes the atmosphere around Sesko. He has stressed that it is “not a drama,” and he does not view the decision as a negative. That matters because squad harmony can break quickly when a player in form feels “blocked.” Carrick is trying to keep competition healthy rather than emotional.

From a player’s perspective, it can be frustrating to score consistently and still start on the bench. But it can also be empowering. Sesko has become the man opponents fear when the game reaches the final 20 minutes. That reputation affects how rivals defend, how they manage their substitutions, and how they approach risk late in matches.

Why Managers Sometimes Prefer a Game-Changer Off the Bench

There’s a tactical reason why Carrick might like Sesko’s current role. Late in games, defences tire. Concentration drops. Space opens up. A fresh striker with speed and directness becomes even more dangerous. If Sesko enters against defenders who have already played 70 minutes of intense football, he has a natural advantage.

Also, not every match needs the same type of striker from minute one. Some games require more link-up play early. Others need physical presence. Some need a runner behind. Carrick may be looking at opponents and choosing the best “starting profile,” while keeping Sesko as the high-impact option if the match needs a twist.

Crystal Palace Next: Another Test of Carrick’s Approach

All of this builds into United’s next league fixture, a home match against Crystal Palace. The selection debate will only intensify if Sesko continues to deliver decisive moments. If Carrick starts him, people will say “finally.” If he keeps him as a substitute, people will ask “why again?”

But Carrick’s point is that neither reaction should control the decision. He is focused on what keeps the team functioning well, not what wins the weekly argument online. Fans may be surprised by how often managers value continuity over hype, especially during a run of good results.

More Than One Story: Leadership and Contracts in the Background

Carrick also has broader squad management issues to juggle. He has spoken about the importance of experienced leaders, including Harry Maguire, whose contract situation has created its own set of questions. Carrick has praised Maguire’s value and leadership at a time when stability matters.

These details show why Carrick wants to avoid turning Sesko’s role into a headline crisis. When you are balancing form, fitness, contracts, morale, and tactical planning, you cannot let one “should he start?” debate become a weekly storm that affects the group.

What Happens If Sesko Keeps Scoring?

This is where it gets interesting. If Sesko continues to score at this rate, the maths becomes difficult to ignore. Managers can resist pressure for a while, but goals eventually force change. At the same time, Carrick could argue that the system is already working: Sesko is producing, the team is winning, and the squad feels strong.

The most realistic outcome might be gradual. More starts in certain fixtures. More minutes overall. A careful shift rather than a dramatic statement. Carrick has made it clear he’s not against Sesko starting  he’s just refusing to treat the current setup as a problem.