Manchester United’s brief resurgence under Michael Carrick encountered a stern test at the London Stadium on Tuesday, where West Ham United demonstrated why they remain one of the Premier League’s most tactically stubborn sides. With a compact 4-5-1 formation, the Hammers sought to suffocate United in central areas, denying the visitors space and time to deploy their usual attacking fluency.
For large periods, the match appeared destined to reinforce old frustrations at this stadium. Tomas Soucek’s 50th-minute opener for West Ham seemed to reopen wounds for a United side still navigating 14 months of tactical upheaval and squad turnover. Carrick’s interim tenure had delivered glimpses of positive momentum, but structural limitations — notably a shortage of flying wingers to complement the club’s wing-back system — rendered their attack predictable and narrow.
West Ham rarely aim for aesthetic football, preferring pragmatism and opportunism, and Tuesday’s encounter was no exception. The visitors struggled to unlock the Hammers’ defence, resorting to set-pieces and inventive routines that produced only near-misses. Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s goal-line clearance and a VAR-disallowed Casemiro header punctuated a largely frustrating performance.
Enter Benjamin Sesko. The 22-year-old Slovenia international, standing 6ft 5in (196cm), embodies a rare duality — the brute force of a “sledgehammer” with the finesse of a striker capable of unlocking tight defences. Introduced in the 69th minute for Matheus Cunha, Sesko made an immediate impact, reacting quickest to a Bryan Mbeumo cross and outpacing on-loan defender Axel Disasi to deliver a sublime one-touch finish into the top corner in the 96th minute. His equaliser echoed his late winner against Fulham on February 1, highlighting a growing streak of decisive contributions.
Carrick praised his striker’s impact: “A fantastic finish… it’s important we threw everything at the end and had a lot of forwards on the pitch. Another big goal for him, and a good step.”
Sesko has now scored six Premier League goals this season, five of which have come in the last six matches. While he has been used as a substitute in all five of Carrick’s games, his recent form suggests he may have forced his way into the starting XI for the upcoming trip to Everton on February 23.
Benjamin Sesko: Premier League 2025-26 Snapshot
| Date | Opponent | Minute Scored | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1 | Fulham | 94’ | 2–1 W | Late winner as substitute |
| Feb 6 | West Ham | 96’ | 1–1 D | Equaliser with exquisite technique |
| Recent 6 Games | Various | 5 goals | — | Displaying mix of power and precision |
| Season Total | — | 6 | — | Premier League 2025-26 |
Reflecting on the match, Sesko told TNT Sports: “I am happy with my finish, but not the draw. We deserved more. Sometimes luck isn’t on your side, but securing a point was important.”
As Manchester United continue to search for consistency under Carrick, Sesko’s blend of brute strength and delicate finishing offers a tantalising glimpse of the attacking dynamism the club desperately needs. Against compact defences, his timing, technique, and composure may well prove decisive in United’s pursuit of points this season.