Benjamin Sesco has become Manchester United’s super-sub after scoring three crucial goals in his last four games, but the £74m striker is knocking on the door to make his first start under manager Michael Carrick on Sunday against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old had a disappointing start in the Premier League with just two goals in his first 16 games, but it made sense for Carrick to move him away from the spotlight when he took over, especially after his fluid front three led to big wins over Manchester City and Arsenal.
But after the striker’s goals saved United from dropping points in the draw against West Ham and the win against Everton, Carrick saw no reason to keep Sesco on the bench.
Sesco’s goals in the last four games, including the late winner against Fulham, are worth seven points for fourth-placed United as they bid to qualify for the Champions League. Without him, they would be in sixth place, four points behind Liverpool.
“I think Sesco will start against Crystal Palace on Sunday,” Gary Neville said on the Sky Sports podcast. “I wasn’t always sure about him this season, but what you have to do is go with what you see.
“United have just struggled in the last few games against West Ham and Everton, but he looks like he’s improved gamely and physically, he looks even stronger in his performances and his confidence is high.”
“I think Michael Carrick will start him. If he doesn’t start on Sunday, he’s going to die.”
Sesco said after the win against Everton that his focus was only on helping the team and not whether he should start for United, but Neville believes his celebration after scoring on Merseyside tells a different story.
“It was a message that said, ‘Get me on this team now. This is my shirt, start next.'”
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Take a closer look at Benjamin Sesco’s incredible shot against Everton – where does his top speed rank in the Premier League this season?
Who will drop out to replace Sesco?
For Sesco to start against Palace on Sunday, he will need to be replaced by Brian Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha or Amad Diallo, who have featured in the last four games.
Amad was Sesco’s casualty in Monday’s game against Everton and Sky Sports pundit Neville expects Carrick to make a similar change this time around.
“I think what you’ll see on Sunday is probably Cunha on the left, Mbeumo on the right, Sesco up top and obviously Bruno (Fernandes) at the back,” Neville said after Monday’s win against Everton.
“Amad will just fall out of the game. He was really good. But I think Sesco will start on Sunday because I don’t think we can afford not to start him. We need him to do what he’s been doing, score three games on the bounce, score the winner and the equalizer, and put him in.”
Can Sesco handle the pressure?
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United
In 2026, Sesco became the most prolific player in the Premier League, scoring a goal every 55 minutes, tying Arsenal striker Victor Gokeres’ five goals in half the time.
United and Arsenal were looking to sign both strikers in the summer, when there was a huge debate over whether Sesco was too young and an investment too risky for the Premier League’s two biggest clubs.
The example of Rasmus Hoylund was considered by many to be a warning. Signed for £72m just two years ago as a promising striker full of potential, he was forced out of Old Trafford in the summer to be replaced by Sesco.
Sesco celebrates victory in 1-0 win against Everton
Sesco is starting to show signs of being able to handle the burden of being United’s No. 9, but three of his five goals came as a substitute, with the other two coming against Burnley, currently second from the bottom of the promotion.
The 22-year-old’s real test will be how he copes when Sesco becomes a regular starter.
“It’s a lot of pressure,” Neville said. “The biggest pressure in English football is on Manchester United’s goalkeeper, but it’s probably the strikers who come to United for just as much money.
“When you come in as a highly priced striker you have to deliver and he is starting to deliver.
“There is a risk that maybe he will win the title of super sub, but I don’t think he is that type. He is a starting player. He has been a super sub in the last few games because he is needed.
“As I said about Gokeres, I don’t think he’ll ever be the perfect striker. But if he can be a handful, contribute with goals, hold on and play link-up, then that’s enough. He doesn’t have to be perfect all the time and[winning at Everton]is a big moment for him.”
“In a first season where the team was struggling early, if he can get four or five more and finish the season in double digits, that would be considered a good season.”
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Sesco was faced with questions about how he would cope with the scrutiny he would face as United’s top goalscorer after the win against Everton, with talk quickly turning to whether he would start for Palace.
“Pressure is something I have to have if I want to be a good player,” Sesco said.
“If you want to play at the highest level, it’s something that (has to be there) and it’s about accepting it and not worrying about it too much.”
Sesco insisted on starting from the start against Palace. It is up to Carrick to decide whether now is the right time to open the door for the young striker.
Watch Sunday’s Man United v Crystal Palace live on Sky Sports with kick-off at 2pm
