Speaking about Manchester United’s opening goal against Everton, Gary Neville highlighted one Man Utd star who sent a clear message to Michael Carrick about his current role in the side.
Michael Carrick’s side secured a crucial three points on Monday night, as a second-half strike from forward Benjamin Šeško earned a 1–0 win for Manchester United over Everton.
The game burst into life from the outset, with both teams carving out promising chances in a high-tempo opening. Persistent drizzle soon made the surface slick, turning the contest into a scrappy and hard-fought affair. Despite plenty of attacking ambition, neither side could find the breakthrough before the break.
United returned after half-time with renewed purpose and sharper control, and Carrick soon turned to Šeško, introducing him in place of Amad to inject fresh impetus into the attack. Everton responded positively as the half developed, but it was the Slovenian striker who proved decisive, coolly finishing with 20 minutes remaining to put the visitors ahead.
As Everton pushed forward in search of an equaliser, goalkeeper Senne Lammens stood firm, delivering a series of superb saves and commanding interventions to protect the advantage. United held on under late pressure at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, climbing to fourth in the league standings as a result.
Šeško’s celebration sent message to Carrick
United struggled to create many clear-cut chances in the first half, and for much of the second, as Everton’s defence stood firm against the visitors.
Much like against West Ham, United struggled to create high-quality chances against a low block until Šeško finished brilliantly to level the game in stoppage time.
The Slovenian forward was once again the difference maker, scoring the only goal of the game just 13 minutes after coming on, with the three forward summer signings combining brilliantly to secure all three points on Merseyside.
Speaking on Sky Sports after Šeško had scored, Gary Neville highlighted the build-up to the goal, also pointing out what he thought about how the 22-year-old’s celebration sent a clear message to Carrick.
“It’s the three summer signings combining. Wonderful from Cunha, Mbeumo doing what he does best, and there is real power and precision in the finish from Šeško,” Neville explained.
“And that is one aggressive celebration from Šeško, as if to say to his manager: ‘You must start playing me’.”
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United excellent summer business has paid off again
Having scored just 44 Premier League goals last campaign, it was evident that significant work needed to be done to address the distinct lack of goals in this United side.
The club recruited well, bringing in Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, both with Premier League experience, as well as Šeško, who had been touted as one of the most exciting prospects in European football for several seasons.
Mbeumo and Cunha both settled into life at Old Trafford well, and with Šeško now looking much more comfortable in a red shirt, it seems like the only way is up for this attacking trio.
While the forward line will take much of the credit for this victory, Senne Lammens, another summer signing, must also be given major plaudits.
The Belgian goalkeeper kept his first clean sheet away from home, and also dealt with Everton’s extremely physical corner routines brilliantly, and has added a sense of calmness between the sticks that hasn’t been there since David de Gea.
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