Michael Carrick believes Benjamin Sesko is steadily finding his feet at Manchester United — and recent performances suggest the striker’s progress is accelerating fast.

The United boss has been encouraged by the forward’s development, pointing to growing confidence and sharper impact in key moments. According to Carrick, Sesko’s improvement hasn’t followed a straight line, but the signs in recent weeks have been especially positive.

Those contributions could prove pivotal in United’s push to return to the Champions League after a two-year absence.

Impact from the bench proving decisive

Sesko’s recent cameos have delivered big rewards. Without his late interventions, United were on course to lose away to West Ham on 10 February and drop points against Everton on Monday at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Instead, the Slovenian striker has helped propel United into a strong position in the top-four race. Carrick’s side currently sit fourth — three points behind Aston Villa and three clear of both Chelsea and Liverpool.

His dramatic stoppage-time volley at West Ham grabbed the headlines, but his winner against Everton underlined his all-round quality.

The goal showcased both stamina and composure: Sesko launched a 70-yard sprint after linking play with Matheus Cunha before calmly converting Bryan Mbeumo’s square pass in the 71st minute.

Carrick praised the finish afterwards, highlighting the striker’s clinical edge and growing self-belief.

Pundits take notice

Watching for Sky Sports, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was equally impressed, noting the remarkable energy Sesko showed after covering so much ground before finishing and celebrating.

The strike moved the 22-year-old onto eight goals for the season.

Interestingly, only two of those came earlier in the campaign under Ruben Amorim, who brought Sesko to Old Trafford from RB Leipzig in a £73.7m move last August.

Since the managerial change, however, the forward has hit six goals in his last seven appearances — including three in two games during Darren Fletcher’s interim spell in January.

Selection debate continues

Despite his form, Sesko has yet to start under Carrick, prompting growing debate among supporters and pundits.

Carrick understands the noise but insists the situation is being managed carefully. The United head coach emphasised his strong relationship with the striker and stressed that competition for places remains high in the attacking unit.

For Sesko himself, the focus is simple: make an impact whenever called upon.

Speaking recently, the forward said he backs his own ability and believes team-mates know exactly what he brings — whether he plays five minutes or the full match.

Lammens shines at the other end

While Sesko settled the contest at Goodison Park, goalkeeper Senne Lammens played an equally important role in preserving the win.

The Belgian produced a standout display, notably denying Michael Keane with a superb save and dealing confidently with a barrage of Everton set-pieces late on.

Everton boss David Moyes admitted afterwards that United’s goalkeeper was the standout performer on the night.

United’s recruitment team deserve credit for backing the 23-year-old last summer rather than pursuing Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez late in the window.

A young core emerging

With Sesko (22) and Lammens (23) both making major contributions, there is growing belief that United’s next generation is beginning to take shape.

Carrick has been careful not to draw heavy comparisons — particularly between Lammens and club legend Edwin van der Sar — but he did highlight the keeper’s calm presence and reliability as key strengths.

Champions League push gathering momentum

At the start of the season, United internally viewed Europa League qualification as the realistic objective.

However, following Amorim’s departure, sporting director Jason Wilcox challenged the squad to aim higher — and recent results have given that ambition real substance.

United are now unbeaten in 10 Premier League matches, their longest such run since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side went 14 games without defeat between January and May 2021.

With no European fixtures to juggle — unlike rivals Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool — momentum is firmly with Carrick’s team.

From this position, anything less than a return to the Champions League would now feel like a missed opportunity.