Benjamin Sesko is prepared to be patient in regards to becoming a first-choice pick for Manchester United, with the striker not telling himself “I have to start” every game.
Sesko struck United’s winner in their 1-0 victory at Everton on Monday after coming on as a 71st-minute substitute. It was the third time in four games that the 22-year-old has scored after emerging from the bench. He also scored a 96th-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw at West Ham two weeks ago and a 93rd-minute winner in the 3-2 victory over Fulham on 1 February.
“I’m not even thinking: ‘I have to start, I have to start.’ For me it’s just whenever the coach decides to put me there one time or not – I’m just going to be there [ready],” Sesko said. “If I get five minutes I’m going to use them, and for me it’s about trying to enjoy and delivering for the team.
“We are talking of course about starting, but Michael Carrick believes in me, everyone believes in me, they are getting me ready to start as soon as possible. It’s more about me showing up when it’s important, no matter how many minutes I’m getting. I’m focusing on delivering and trying to help the team secure the wins.”
Sesko is embracing the expectation of being a United striker. “For me the way I look at the pressure is it’s something that if I want to be a good player it’s something that I have to have. I take it as a privilege,” said the Slovenian. “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. It doesn’t really affect me.”
United have taken 16 points from 18 in Carrick’s six matches as interim manager. “The mood is really good,” Sesko said. “Everyone is working for each other and I said many times the coaching staff in general, not just Carrick, but also the others he has beside him are unbelievable. They are working on individuals and you can see that on the pitch.
“To win so many games and secure so many points it’s made out of details and that’s how we get all these points.”
Meanwhile, Jarrad Branthwaite has not given up hope of making England’s World Cup squad despite starting only three Premier League games this season.
The Everton defender was overlooked by Thomas Tuchel for his first two squads as England manager and missed the first half of this season with a hamstring injury. But having returned to David Moyes’s side, starting at left-back in Monday’s loss to United, the 23-year-old insists a late call-up for this summer’s tournament is viable.
“To miss all the time I’ve missed this season has had a huge impact on the momentum I had in the last couple of years. Hopefully I’m past that now and I can get a good momentum going, stay injury free and push for the World Cup squad,” Branthwaite said. “That was my aim at the start of the season. It’s going to be difficult. The only thing I can do is put on good performances every game and give myself the best possible chance.”
Tuchel has only friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March to look at new options before naming his World Cup squad. Branthwaite believes he could benefit from missing several months through injury.
“It’s always difficult to come back after such a long time. But coming to the end of the season, hopefully I can have fresh legs whereas players who are playing 30-odd games throughout the season are maybe tiring,” he said. “It would be a dream to play at the World Cup.”
