Šeško makes his case for Man United ahead of Manchester derby

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  Rob DawsonSep 10, 2026, 07:18 PM ET

MANCHESTER, England -- Sabah FK didn't cause Manchester United any problems in their UEFA Champions League opener, but Benjamin Šeško has given Michael Carrick a headache before the Manchester derby.

The Slovenian striker followed up his goal at Everton on Sunday with another against the champions of Azerbaijan at Old Trafford on Thursday. It helped United to a comfortable 4-0 win while also making his claim to start against Manchester City on Sunday.

Šeško has had to wait his turn.

Injured in early May, he missed all of preseason. A frustrating summer meant he was left on the bench for the first three Premier League games against Hull City, Ipswich Town and Everton.

A goal at Hill Dickinson Stadium earned him a start against Sabah, and he made the most of the opportunity when he collected Bryan Mbeumo's pass late in the first half, rounded the goalkeeper and scored for the second time in five days.

Šeško got 63 minutes before he was substituted for Joshua Zirkzee. It suggests that either the 23-year-old is still working his way back to full fitness or that Carrick is saving his legs for City. We'll find out on Sunday.

"It's not an easy decision," said Carrick.

"Of course it's not, but it's definitely one I'd prefer to have -- goals in the team and for the boys to be playing well.

"Sometimes it's going to be a start, sometimes it's going to be finishing the game, and we need that within the group from game to game over the season."

If nothing else, Šeško has given Carrick a decision to make. He will perhaps feel he's done enough to play against City, but the question is: who does he replace?

Mbeumo scored a wonderful solo goal against Everton. Matheus Cunha got his first of the season against Sabah. Marcus Rashford, an unused substitute on Thursday, was United's best player at the weekend. If Šeško starts in the derby, one would have to drop out.

Perhaps in his favor is that he offers something different to Rashford, Cunha and Mbeumo. He gives United a focal point at No. 9 and a target in the box when the ball goes wide.

He works hard, too. Shortly after halftime, he chased down a Sabah defender and wrestled the ball away, prompting a cheer from the Old Trafford crowd nearly as loud as the one when he scored.

"He definitely offers a different kind of threat," said Carrick.

"I think that's kind of the beauty of it. That we know what Ben gives us, and there's not many around that give you what Ben does in terms of his physique, his physicality, playing on the last line, 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 back to fitness. So, a couple of goals and good performances, good minutes for him. We're really pleased with the way he's gone."

Carrick can also be pleased with United's return to the Champions League. Playing in the competition for the first time since 2023, they dismantled Sabah, a club only founded nine years ago. Tougher tests lie ahead, but four goals and a clean sheet demonstrate a dream start.

"It was what we set out to achieve, really," said Carrick. "I think it was a good performance, individually, collectively, pretty much all the way through the game, from start to finish."

Šeško's form is a positive problem for United's head coach, but he has other selection issues to think about.

Luke Shaw started every Premier League game last season, but there has been debate over the summer about whether his body can cope with extra fixtures in Europe. The early answer is no.

Shaw came off in the 2-2 draw with Everton on Sunday with cramps and missed training at Carrington on Wednesday morning. The official explanation was that he was given a "designated rest day." Not included in the squad to face Sabah, he has Thursday off, too. It wouldn't be a big issue if there was a designated backup.

Patrick Dorgu, who filled in against Sabah and got the assist for Cunha's opener, has been used as a winger since Carrick came in. Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot can play on the left, but prefer the right. Harry Amass, a natural left back, is only 19. A summer bid for Newcastle United's Lewis Hall came to nothing.

Even in early September, it seems Carrick is already having to carefully pick and choose which games Shaw can play. He will hope the England defender is available again for the derby.

The task on Sunday has been made more difficult by an uneven schedule which has given Enzo Maresca's team an extra two days to prepare. Carrick said this week it "wasn't ideal."

Preparations for the first Manchester derby of the season have at least been smoothed by a comfortable Champions League victory. Šeško got his goal and made his case to keep his place.