Manchester United's Dilemma: Šeško's Impact Ahead of the Derby

MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United strolled through their UEFA Champions League return, but Benjamin Šeško walked off with Michael Carrick’s biggest dilemma of the week.

Sabah FK, champions of Azerbaijan and rookies on this stage, never laid a glove on United in a 4-0 win at Old Trafford. The contest was routine. The implications for Sunday’s Manchester derby are anything but.

Šeško forces the issue

Šeško arrived at this season late and impatient. Injured in early May, he missed the whole preseason and watched the first three Premier League games — against Hull City, Ipswich Town and Everton — from the bench. For a 23-year-old striker trying to plant a flag at a new club, that stings.

His route back started at Hill Dickinson Stadium. A goal there earned him a start against Sabah. He did not waste it.

Late in the first half, Bryan Mbeumo slipped a pass into space. Šeško darted through, rounded the goalkeeper and rolled in his second goal in five days. Simple finish, ruthless timing. Old Trafford roared like it had been waiting for this version of him.

He lasted 63 minutes before Carrick sent on Joshua Zirkzee. It might be about fitness. It might be about preservation. With City looming, every substitution carries a hint of Sunday.

"It's not an easy decision," Carrick admitted afterward. "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."

Šeško has at least ensured the conversation can’t ignore him. He will feel he has done enough to start the derby. The real problem for Carrick lies elsewhere: who makes way?

One shirt, too many forwards

The front line is suddenly crowded and productive.

Mbeumo, who teed up Šeško here, scored a stunning solo goal against Everton. Matheus Cunha opened his account for the season against Sabah, finishing from Patrick Dorgu’s cross. Marcus Rashford, rested completely on Thursday, was United’s standout performer last weekend.

If Šeško leads the line against City, one of those three sits out. That’s the headache.

His advantage is profile. Rashford, Cunha and Mbeumo all drift, drive and interchange. Šeško pins. He offers a classic No. 9: a target when the ball goes wide, a focal point for crosses, a presence on the last line of defence.

He also earned appreciation with his work without the ball. Early in the second half, he hunted down a Sabah defender, muscled him off it and turned Old Trafford’s murmur into a roar almost as loud as his goal. Supporters notice that.

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

Those “good minutes” now echo into the derby.

Dream return to Europe, nagging problems at left-back

United’s first Champions League game since 2023 could hardly have been more straightforward. Sabah, a club only nine years old, were outclassed. Four goals, a clean sheet and barely a scare: the kind of gentle reintroduction managers secretly crave.

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

Yet even a comfortable night exposed the thin ice in one area of the squad.

Luke Shaw started every Premier League game last season. This time, the question isn’t his quality, but his capacity to absorb extra European fixtures. Early signs are worrying.

He came off in the 2-2 draw with Everton because of cramps. He then missed Wednesday’s training session at Carrington, officially given a “designated rest day.” He was left out of the squad entirely against Sabah and had Thursday off as well.

None of that would cause alarm if there were a clear, trusted deputy. There isn’t.

Dorgu, who impressed at left-back and set up Cunha’s opener, has mainly been used as a winger under Carrick. Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot can switch over but both prefer the right. Harry Amass is a natural left-back but only 19. A summer move for Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall went nowhere.

Even with the season barely underway, Carrick already looks like he has to ration Shaw’s minutes. Every selection at left-back becomes a calculation. For the derby, he will hope the England defender can push through.

Derby stakes

City arrive on Sunday with two extra days of preparation after what Carrick called an “wasn't ideal” schedule. United, at least, come in off a smooth European win, no late drama, no draining chase.

What they do bring is a new question up front. Šeško has scored in back-to-back games, offered a different attacking dimension and shifted the narrative around his role.

Carrick wanted competition for places. He has it now — right where it matters most, on the eve of the first Manchester derby of the season.