Sesko Embraces Pressure As He Makes Case For United Starting Spot

‎Benjamin Sesko is willing to bide his time in his push to become a regular starter for Manchester United, insisting he is not putting pressure on himself to demand a place in the XI every week.

‎The 22-year-old came off the bench to score the decisive goal in United’s 1-0 victory over Everton on Monday, netting just 12 minutes after being introduced. It marked his third goal in his last four appearances as a substitute, further strengthening his case for a more prominent role without creating any personal expectations about starting every match.

‎He also scored a 96th‑minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw at West Ham two weeks ago and a 94th-minute winner in the 3-2 victory against 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,” the Slovenian said.

‎“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 the 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.”

‎Branthwaite On World Cup for England

‎Jarrad Branthwaite remains optimistic about earning a place in England’s FIFA World Cup squad, even though he has started only three Premier League matches this season.

‎The Everton defender was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s first two national-team selections, having spent the entire first half of the campaign sidelined with a hamstring injury.

‎However, having returned to David Moyes’s side, starting at left-back in the defeat against United, the 23‑year‑old said a late call-up for the tournament this summer 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,” Branthwaite said.

‎“Hopefully I’m past that now and I can get a good momentum going, stay injury-free, and push for the World Cup squad. 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,” he said.

‎“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. It would be a dream to play at the World Cup.”