Gary Neville has insisted Benjamin Sesko must start for Manchester United against Crystal Palace this weekend, warning Michael Carrick that leaving him on the bench again could ‘kill’ the young striker.
Sesko was United’s saviour once again on Monday night, coming off the bench in the second-half against Everton to score a wonderful counter attack goal that sealed all three points.
The Slovenia international is still to start a game under Michael Carrick but has been lethal off the bench, scoring vital goals in injury time against Fulham and West Ham United having netted three in his last four appearances.
Including goals under Darren Fletcher, who briefly took the reins following Ruben Amorim’s departure, the former RB Leipzig star has now scored six in his last seven appearances.
Former United captain Neville now believes Sesko will be demanding a starting role when Palace visit Old Trafford on Sunday.
‘His celebration I think was a message to everybody,’ the former United star told The Gary Neville Podcast.
‘It was a message saying “get me in this damn team now. This is my start next time”. I think he will have been really disappointed having scored a wonderful goal against west ham not to be in the team today.’
He continued: ‘For Sesko now, I think on Sunday against Crystal Palace, he starts. And I haven’t always been convinced about him this season.
‘But what you have to do is move with what you see. United have struggled in the last couple of games against West Ham and Everton.
‘He looks like he’s growing in his game and his body and his confidence is high so I think on Sunday Michael Carrick starts him. I think it would kill the lad if he didn’t start on Sunday.’
Carrick has made very few changes to his starting XI in his six games in charge with injuries for Patrick Dorgu and Lisandro Martinez enforcing the two he has made to date.
But Neville believes Sesko’s form will now prompt a reshuffle with Amad Diallo set to lose his place in the side as a result.
‘We will probably see Matheus Cunha on the left, Bryan Mbeumo on the right, Sesko up top and Bruno in behind,’ Neville said, looking ahead to Sunday’s game.
‘And I think Amad will just slip in behind for a game. Amad has been really good but Sesko has to start, he’s been scoring winners and equalisers, you have to put him in.
Arrow MORE: ‘So many weaknesses’ – Michael Owen raises fresh doubts over Arsenal star
Arrow MORE: David Moyes singles out ‘brilliant’ Man Utd star for praise after Everton defeat
Arrow MORE: Man City legend Sergio Aguero makes shock Arsenal Premier League title prediction