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Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick lauded Benjamin Sesko’s exemplary attitude after the striker emerged from the bench to net the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory over Everton.
The Slovenia international’s late strike marked his third goal in four appearances, maintaining Carrick’s unbeaten start across his six matches in charge.
Despite his impactful contributions, which include two winners and a crucial equaliser, the £66million summer signing is yet to secure a starting spot under Carrick.
Sesko, 22, has now scored six times in his last seven outings. Carrick acknowledged the external focus on the situation but insisted there was no issue between them.
"I get why everyone’s talking about it and making a bigger deal of it, but I’ve got a really good relationship with Ben," Carrick stated.
"I’ve got no problem with Ben and he hasn’t got an issue. He obviously wants to play, but I can’t speak highly enough of how he’s been and the work he’s putting in and his attitude to come on and do what he’s done again.
“We’ve had some really good conversations and he’s in a really good place, and part of us is helping him take his steps in development and growing him as a player.
“Sometimes that’s little steps, sometimes that’s bigger steps and he’s taken some huge steps recently. That’s great to see."
Carrick also reserved praise for goalkeeper Senne Lammens, whose performance secured United’s first away league clean sheet since March.
"For me a goalkeeper has to be reliable, be trustworthy," he explained. "Instead of creating chaos, you want him to take the chaos away and calm things down. I think Senne does that."
Everton manager David Moyes admitted his side’s attempts to unsettle Lammens with a barrage of corners in the second half proved futile.
Moyes was effusive in his praise for the United stopper, saying: "The goalie was bloody brilliant. The save he made from Michael Keane, the way he dealt with the corners.
“We hoped somewhere we’d have got a nick on one of them with the pressure we had in those situations. I thought we would get one, but we didn’t. For me he was the best player on the pitch."
The defeat means Everton have now won just four of their 14 Premier League fixtures at their new stadium. Moyes conceded his team is still adjusting to their new surroundings.
"I think there is probably a change – other teams come here and enjoy it," he remarked.
"There are things about it which are different and we have to get used to. But I think our games are better than at Goodison. Our team is better this year and it wasn’t as if we were winning every game at Goodison, to be honest."
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