MU vs Crystal Palace: Does Sesko deserve to start or is he better suited as a substitute?

Benjamin Sesko is in impressive form, and there is no reason for interim manager Michael Carrick to keep the Slovenian striker on the bench against Crystal Palace.

In his last four appearances, Sesko has only come off the bench with limited playing time, yet he has managed to score three goals for Manchester United.

Sesko is experiencing a breakout run of form.

Sesko's start in the Premier League was far from smooth. Under Ruben Amorim, he scored only twice in 17 matches. Doubts quickly emerged, especially considering United paid £74 million to bring him from RB Leipzig, where he had netted 27 goals in 64 appearances over two seasons.

So far this Premier League season, Sesko has 7 goals and 1 assist in 22 matches. Looking solely at the total, it's not an outstanding record. However, the context is what truly matters.

Since Michael Carrick took over as interim manager, Sesko has primarily been used as a "super-sub." He scored decisive winners against Everton and Fulham, along with a late equalizer against West Ham. In his last seven outings, he has scored six goals, averaging a goal every 45 minutes. According to BBC Sport, Sesko is the Premier League's top scorer from open play in 2026.

Labeling Sesko a "super-sub" might evoke comparisons to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Javier Hernandez. But Sesko is not merely a tactical substitution option. He is a 1.96m tall striker with over 90 club goals to his name, possessing a skill set well-suited to the Premier League environment.

Manager Carrick has spoken about United's flexible, strikerless system: "The attacking players have different strengths; they can perform various roles. We see that as a strength to change things during a match. Sometimes they appear in different positions, as long as they play well and understand their role. We have great flexibility upfront, and I'm not concerned about that."

However, on-pitch reality shows United's attack has looked disjointed. Against Everton, United's forwards often made overlapping runs, failing to stretch the opposition's defense. Sesko's introduction brought simplicity to the attack, an element often overlooked in modern football, where "false nines" and fluid systems are favored.

When Sesko is on the pitch, every United attacker understands their role clearly, and the quality gap between United and Everton was ultimately demonstrated.

It is time for Sesko to start.

His goal against Everton further highlighted Sesko's diverse qualities. In the build-up to that goal, Sesko was recorded reaching a speed of over 33.8 km/h.

His ability to accelerate over long distances, his willingness to run behind the last defensive line, and his composure in front of goal make Sesko equally dangerous in open spaces, especially when the game becomes stretched and gaps appear.

Sesko has the ability to pin center-backs, stretch defenses, and provide a vertical threat, forcing opponents to adjust their defensive approach. Whether it's attacking aerial balls, making runs off the last defender, or finishing early in transitions, Sesko offers solutions in multiple ways.

Former United striker Louis Saha even compared Sesko's potential to Erling Haaland. "Sesko has a style similar to Haaland, with a physique, height, and physical foundation that provide a major advantage. But he also has the technical element to score different types of goals," Saha stated.

He believes the Slovenian striker could reach 20-25 goals per season: "Sesko has all the potential to score 20-25 goals, especially if he is the main striker playing alongside excellent players. United have Bryan Mbeumo, who can also play in that role to provide support. The way United's attacking play is developing is encouraging and suggests he could score many goals."

However, it must be noted that Haaland had a spectacular debut season at Manchester City with 36 goals, while Sesko's achievements remain relatively modest. The issue is that he needs trust and consistent opportunities.

If Manchester United wants to maintain its momentum and harbor hopes of competing for a Top 3 finish, they need to start using Sesko from the beginning, rather than viewing him as a backup option.

Against Crystal Palace, United will likely face the challenge of a deep, compact defensive block once more, and Sesko could again be the solution for the "Red Devils."