Michael Carrick believes Benjamin Sesko will continue to prove his importance for Manchester United as their bid for Champions League football continues to pick up pace.

The Red Devils moved up to third in the Premier League after a 2-1 win over 10-man Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, with Bruno Fernandes also on target in the comeback win. 

Maxence Lacroix had given Oliver Glasner's side a fourth-minute lead, only for the Palace defender to be contentiously sent off early in the second half for pulling back Matheus Cunha. 

Fernandes stepped up to slot home the resulting penalty before the United captain sent a teasing cross into the box for Sesko to power home in the 65th minute. 

Only Igor Thiago (seven) has scored more Premier League goals in 2026 than Sesko (six), who had only scored twice in 15 outings in the competition before this calendar year.

And while Carrick noted that there is still room for improvement in the Slovenian's overall game, he added that his impact will be key for the final 10 games of the campaign. 

"Absolutely delighted for Ben. It's certainly not been a headache, it's not been a big drama. He's had a huge impact, and he's making big improvements," Carrick said.

"A little bit is getting used to what it is like to be here and the feelings and what it means to play. Things that we can take for granted at times.

"He's desperate to do well, he works so hard, he's an absolute pleasure to work with. Today, he started, and it was an absolutely fantastic goal. He's bringing an awful lot.

"We've got good flexibility across the top line. The front players can play different roles within the game, so there's a lot of flexibility there.

"Amad took some time out today, but that may change again for Wednesday, but it's good to have those options."

Carrick has earned 23 points in nine Premier League games as United's manager (W7 D2 – including both spells). This is the joint-best start after nine games by any manager in the competition's history, alongside Ange Postecoglou (also 23 in first nine).

The Red Devils' upturn in form has seen them overtake Aston Villa, and they are now in pole position to seal a return to the Champions League.

And the Opta supercomputer has assigned them a 56.4% probability of finishing in the top four, though a fifth-placed finish may also be enough to qualify for the Champions League, which improves United's chances to 81.4%. 

Carrick, however, was not getting too carried away, adding: "It was the way the game went, we overcame a new challenge that's the biggest thing. 

"We have moved up a spot which is nice, but it is only one weekend, so we are not getting carried away with it. I think the boys will benefit a lot from that.

"I think it was a test for us today. Coming into half-time a goal down is something kind of new for us.

"We didn't start the game great, which is credit to Palace, but I thought we grew into the game as the half went on and in the second half we stepped up again.

"It was a big thing to overcome being a goal down so early, but coming back against a team that's tough to break down and so well-organised, it was a big step for us."