Sesko Steps Up As United Grind Past Everton – But Amad Feels The Heat

Manchester United left Merseyside with the points and a sigh of relief, edging Everton 1-0 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium thanks to Benjamin Sesko’s razor instincts and Senne Lammens’ late defiance. It wasn’t vintage, but it was vital: United are back in the top four, three clear of Chelsea and Liverpool, and sometimes that’s the only line that matters.

The game at a glance

United had the ball and most of the first-half territory without the punch. Amad Diallo saw an early effort hacked off the line inside three minutes, and Diogo Dalot fizzed a speculative strike just wide. After the break, half-chances fell to Harrison Armstrong and Bryan Mbeumo, but the final touch deserted both.

Sesko seizes the moment

The match turned with one switch: Sesko for Amad. A direct ball from Matheus Cunha sent Mbeumo racing away, the Cameroon international slid it into Sesko’s stride, and the Slovenian did the rest—clean, decisive, clinical. On paper it looked simple; in reality, his timing, movement and hunger were exactly what United had been lacking.

Everton piled on late, but Lammens stood tall to swat away the hopefuls and secure the clean sheet. On this evidence—and with five in his last six league outings—Sesko has planted a sizeable flag for a start when United host Palace on Sunday.

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Amad under the microscope

This was a learning night for Amad. Operating off the right, he produced two key passes but completed only 74% overall, and his dribbles were too often corralled by Jarrad Branthwaite and the retreating Everton midfield screen. Hooked for Sesko, and—cruel as it sounds—that was the change that won the game.

What the fans are saying

Supporters didn’t hold back. Social feeds were awash with calls for Sesko to start and for Amad to sit out a spell, with some branding his decision-making “horrendous” and the display “average.” Others accused him of running without purpose and urged a sharper final ball if he’s to nail down that right flank.

The Athletic’s Adam Crafton struck a more measured tone, suggesting Amad remains a useful option—particularly against higher-quality opponents—but stressing that goals, assists and clear chance creation must jump if he’s to be United’s long-term first choice on the right.

Pundit’s verdict and what’s next

Perspective, please: Amad’s talent isn’t in question, but the bar at Manchester United is sky high and competition is ruthless. Sesko’s relentless movement and end product have to be rewarded; he looks a menace, and right now he changes games. Michael Carrick will know it’s about balance, but he’d be brave—and right—to keep riding the hot hand up top.

As for Amad, this is the fork in the road. Clean up the basics, quicken the decisions, and the headlines turn. Keep drifting, and that bench will feel like home for a while. Palace on Sunday is the next audition—one United can’t afford to turn into another lesson in missed opportunities.