Victory for the Red Devils would strengthen their Champions League qualification ambitions.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has dropped Benjamin Šeško to the bench for the visit of Aston Villa, reinstating Amad Diallo to the team while pushing Bryan Mbeumo back up front. Šeško’s biggest impacts have come from the bench for United, though he did also score the winning goal against Crystal Palace on March 1 in a 2–1 comeback win at Old Trafford.
He drew a blank last time out as United slipped to a 2–1 defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park. Some of Mbeumo’s best matches have come while playing as a pressing center forward, and Carrick has opted to restore the Cameroonian up top—no doubt hoping that he can break a four-match streak without a goal.Why Has Sesko Been Dropped by Carrick? Benjamin Šeško’s really made a mark in the past couple of months. | Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar/Getty Images. United’s rapid improvement in Carrick, other than abandoning Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 formation, has relied on an organized press that has put the squeeze on opposition defenses. Manchester City,and Tottenham Hotspur have all fallen victim to this improved version of the Red Devils, and were often harried into making mistakes by the endless running of Mbeumo, Amad, Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha. Amad’s energy on the right has been notable, with his ability to track back and help either Diogo Dalot—also restored to the starting lineup by Carrick—or Noussair Mazraoui an added benefit. Mbeumo offers the same amount of running as Amad but isn’t quite as sharp in the tackle—an area the latter improved when operating as a right wingback for Amorim. Amad can also be relied upon to go for the full 90 minutes, something he’s done in five of the last seven Premier League matches he’s started. Šeško’s got far fewer full matches under his belt and has proven to be an effective substitute forAston Villa have been affected by injuries, but they are a very solid defensive unit who are capable of absorbing pressure and are notorious for being difficult to play through. It’s for that reason that Carrick may look to hurt the Villans by using pace on the counter-attack—something Mbeumo, Cunha and Amad have in spadefuls but not so much Šeško, who is quick once up to full speed but doesn’t have the same acceleration.Every decision Carrick makes will be scrutinized. | Ash Donelon/Manchester United/Getty Images Fulfilling his prematch media duties, Carrick admitted taking Šeško out of the team was not a decision he took lightly. “Yeah, we’ve just got a good forward line to choose from, and it’s just getting that balance right really from game to game.” he told Sky Sports. “Whether it’s starting the game, whether it’s the impact coming off the bench. “I think over the eight games really, I think we’ve had good impact in different ways coming off the bench and I think that’s a big part of the game. So just trying to get that balance right. It wasn’t an easy decision, but the boys have all adapted to it really well ... so they’re ready.” Šeško will feature from the bench, regardless of whether United are winning, losing or drawing, and will be confident of adding to the eightToby Cudworth is Lead Editor for Sports Illustrated FC. A Premier League, EFL & UEFA accredited journalist, Toby supports West Ham United and still can't believe they won a European trophy.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Virgin River's Benjamin Hollingsworth Talks Brady's AccidentVirgin River's Benjamin Hollingsworth is weighing in after the show threw another curveball Brady's way with a near-death accident
Read more »
Ajay Mitchell Shows No Rust in Return to Thunder's Starting UnitAfter missing 20 games due to two separate injuries, Ajay Mitchell is right back in action for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Read more »
Diamondbacks Reveal Starting Lineup for Merrill Kelly's ReturnWho's taking the field behind Merrill Kelly Friday night?
Read more »
LSU Baseball vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Starting Lineup, Start Time and TV ChannelJay Johnson and Co. open SEC play on Friday night in Nashville, eyeing a strong start to conference play against the Commodores.
Read more »
Tua Tagovailoa will have opportunity to compete for starting QB job, Atlanta GM saysNewly signed Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will have an opportunity to compete for the starting job in Atlanta, where Michael Penix Jr. is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in November, general manager Ian Cunningham said Friday.
Read more »
Falcons' GM: Tagovailoa to compete with Penix for starting jobFalcons general manager Ian Cunningham said definitively Friday that the team is bringing in Tua Tagovailoa to compete with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting quarterback job.
Read more »