Šeško Just Sent Carrick a Derby Headache He Can't Ignore

MANCHESTER, England -- Sabah FK never really threatened Manchester United. Benjamin Šeško absolutely did. The Slovenian striker bagged another goal in United's 4-0 Champions League opener at Old Trafford, and suddenly Michael Carrick has a beautiful, brutal selection headache before Sunday's Manchester derby against Manchester City.

Šeško Makes His Move

Šeško has had to wait. Injured in early May, he missed preseason. That frustrating summer kept him on the bench for United's first three Premier League games against Hull City, Ipswich Town and Everton. Then he scored at Hill Dickinson Stadium, earned a start against Sabah, and made it count.

Late in the first half, he took Bryan Mbeumo's pass, rounded the goalkeeper, and scored for the second time in five days. He got 63 minutes before Joshua Zirkzee replaced him. Was that fitness management or Carrick saving his legs for City? Sunday will tell us.

'It's not an easy decision,' said Carrick. '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.'

The Derby Dilemma

If Šeško starts against City, someone drops out. Mbeumo scored a wonderful solo goal at Everton. Matheus Cunha got his first of the season against Sabah. Marcus Rashford was an unused substitute Thursday but was United's best player at the weekend. Good luck, gaffer.

Šeško's edge? He gives United something different: a true focal point at No. 9, a target in the box when the ball goes wide, and a runner who can stretch the last line. He also works. Shortly after halftime he chased down a Sabah defender and wrestled the ball away, drawing an Old Trafford cheer nearly as loud as the one for his goal.

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

United's UCL Return: Dream Start

Carrick can also smile about United's Champions League return. Playing in the competition for the first time since 2023, they dismantled Sabah, a club only founded nine years ago. Tougher tests are coming, but four goals and a clean sheet is exactly the start they wanted.

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

Shaw's Load Management Problem

Šeško's form is a positive problem. Luke Shaw is a different kind of problem. Shaw started every Premier League game last season, but the summer debate about whether his body can handle extra European fixtures has an early answer: no.

Shaw came off in the 2-2 draw with Everton on Sunday with cramps and missed training at Carrington on Wednesday morning. The official line was a 'designated rest day.' He was not in the squad against Sabah and had Thursday off, too. It wouldn't be a huge issue if United had a clear backup.

Patrick Dorgu filled in against Sabah and got the assist for Cunha's opener, but he has been used as a winger since Carrick arrived. Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot can play left, but prefer the right. Harry Amass is a natural left back, but he is only 19. A summer bid for Newcastle United's Lewis Hall came to nothing.

Even in early September, Carrick is already having to pick and choose Shaw's games. He will hope the England defender is back for the derby.

Sunday's task is tougher because an uneven schedule gave Enzo Maresca's team an extra two days to prepare. Carrick said this week it 'wasn't ideal.' At least United's Champions League cruise smoothed the mood. Šeško got his goal. Now he has made his case to keep his place.