Michael Carrick and the Fulham dilemma: It's time to activate Benjamin Sesko.

Since Michael Carrick took over the hot seat at Old Trafford, Manchester United have experienced a small but significant resurgence with two impressive victories against Arsenal and Man City. However, the honeymoon period for the interim manager will face a completely different challenge this weekend: Marco Silva's Fulham. To overcome the opponent's solid defensive wall, Carrick needs to unleash a forgotten trump card from the previous two matches – Benjamin Sesko.

Changes in personnel and Benjamin Sesko's role

Every managerial change brings about a shift in the starting lineup. At Manchester United, while Kobbie Mainoo has been the biggest beneficiary with his transformed performances compared to the Ruben Amorim era, Benjamin Sesko is experiencing the opposite. The Slovenian striker once had a brilliant season with 3 goals in 2 games under interim manager Darren Fletcher, but since Carrick took over, he hasn't been named in the starting XI.

Instead, Carrick used Bryan Mbeumo in a false number 9 position. Mbeumo's mobility, agility, and speed proved highly effective in counter-attacking situations against possession-oriented opponents like Arsenal and Man City. However, this tactic inadvertently relegated Sesko to a backup role. Nevertheless, Carrick didn't abandon his player. Private conversations and bringing Sesko on from the bench showed he was carefully preparing the striker mentally for the match against Fulham.

The solution to the concrete block problem from Fulham.

What worked against Man City and Arsenal may not necessarily work against Fulham. The painful lesson from his predecessor Ruben Amorim – who was always rigid with a single tactical system – remains. Carrick needs to prove his versatility, and Benjamin Sesko is key to breaking down the low block defensive structure that Marco Silva has painstakingly built.

Fulham are known for their defensive style of play, closing down all the space behind their backs. In that kind of game, Mbeumo's speed and off-the-ball movement would be less effective. Manchester United need a more direct and aggressive approach. This is where Sesko's 1.95m height and ideal physique come into play. He can act as a target, holding up the ball and drawing the attention of opposing center-backs, thereby creating space for Amad Diallo or Bruno Fernandes to run onto and shoot.

Diverse attacking options from aerial balls.

Sesko's impressive aerial ability will give Manchester United another effective attacking option: crosses from the flanks. To break down a compact defense, a team needs physical strength or the ability to move the ball quickly enough to disrupt the opposition. With Sesko on the field, Carrick will have both of these qualities.

Sesko's presence creates both a threat from aerial balls and opens up options for one-two passing combinations in midfield thanks to his increasingly refined link-up play. Michael Carrick has skillfully kept Sesko's attacking spark alive throughout the past week. Now it's time for him to boldly utilize this striker to conquer the challenge posed by Fulham, while simultaneously demonstrating the versatility of his tactical thinking as a coach.