Benjamin Sesko has become Manchester United’s super sub after scoring three decisive goals in his last four games – but the £74m striker is banging on the door for his first start under Michael Carrick against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The 22-year-old had a slow start in the Premier League with just two goals in his first 16 games and it made sense for Carrick to keep him out of the spotlight when he took over, especially after his fluid front three produced big wins over Manchester City and Arsenal.
However, Carrick is running out of reasons to keep Sesko on the bench after the striker's goals rescued United from dropping points in less than impressive performances in the draw at West Ham and win at Everton.
Sesko's goals in the last four games, which includes his late winner against Fulham, have been worth seven points for fourth-placed United in their hunt for Champions League football. Without him, they would be sixth and four points off Liverpool.
"For Sesko now on Sunday against Crystal Palace, I think he starts," Gary Neville said on his Your Site podcast. "I haven't always been convinced about him this season, but what you have to do is move with what you see.
"United have just struggled in the last couple of games against West Ham and Everton, he looks like he's growing in his game and in his body, and he looks like he's got more power in his performance, his confidence is high.
"I think Michael Carrick starts him. It would kill the lad if he didn't start on Sunday."
Sesko said after the win at Everton that his focus is only on helping his team - and not on whether he should be starting for United - but Neville believes his celebration after scoring on Merseyside told a different story.
"That was a message saying: 'get me in this damn team now. This is my shirt, I start next time'."
For Sesko to start against Palace on Sunday, one of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha or Amad Diallo, who have got the nod in the last four games, will have to make way.
Amad was the player sacrificed for Sesko at Everton on Monday and Your Site pundit Neville expects Carrick to make the same change this time.
"I think what you'll see on Sunday is probably Cunha to the left and Mbeumo to the right, Sesko up top and I think you'll see Bruno [Fernandes] obviously in behind," Neville said after Monday's win at Everton.
"Amad will just slip out for a game, he's been really good, but I think Sesko starts Sunday, because I don't think you can't not start him, scoring three games on the bounce, scoring winners and equalisers, doing what he's done, you've got to put him in."
In 2026, Sesko has been the Premier League's most prolific player, scoring every 55 minutes, equalling Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres' tally of five in half the time.
United and Arsenal explored moves for both strikers over the summer when there was big debate around whether Sesko was too young and therefore too risky an investment for two of the Premier League's biggest clubs.
The Rasmus Hojlund example was considered a warning by many. Signed for £72m as a promising striker filled with potential just two years earlier, he was pushed out of Old Trafford to make way for Sesko over the summer.
Sesko is beginning to show signs he can bear the burden of being United's No. 9 - but three of his five goals have come as a substitute and the other two against promoted-side Burnley, currently second from bottom.
How Sesko copes when he is the regular starter will be the true test of the 22-year-old.
"It's a lot of pressure," Neville said. "The biggest pressure in English football, that's a Manchester United goalkeeper, but not far behind would be a striker who comes for big money to United.
"When you come in as a striker with a big price tag, you've got to deliver and he's starting to deliver.
"There is a danger that maybe that he's sort of getting that super-sub title, but I don't think he's that type. He's a starting player. He has been a super sub in the last few games because he's needed to be.
"I don't think he's ever going to be the perfect striker, like I said about Gyokeres. But if he can be a handful, contribute with goals, hold things up, link play, that'll be enough. You don't have to be always perfect and [his winner at Everton], it's a big moment for him.
"If he can get another four or five and finish this season in double figures, in his first season with the struggle that the team were having at the beginning, I think that would be deemed to be a good season."
Sesko faced questions about how he copes with the scrutiny of being United's goalscorer after his winner at Everton as the conversation soon turned to whether he would start at Palace.
"The pressure is something that, if I want to be a good player, it's something that I have to have," Sesko said.
"It's something that has (to be there) if you want to play at the highest level and it's about accepting it and not really caring about it."
Sesko has made a strong case to be in from the start against Palace. It is now up to Carrick to decide whether now is the right time to open the door for the young striker.
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