Michael Owen singles out ‘struggling’ Man Utd star for praise after Fulham win

Michael Owen singled out Benjamin Sesko for special praise after Manchester United’s 3-2 victory over Fulham, saying he was ‘really pleased’ for the striker given his early-season ‘struggles’.

Sesko was named among Michael Carrick’s substitutes in Sunday’s Premier League contest but came on in place of Matheus Cunha in the 74th minute, with United leading 2-0 at Old Trafford.

The visitors fought back admirably and looked to have rescued a point after Raul Jimenez and January signing Kevin netting in the closing stages to silence the Theatre of Dreams.

But the Red Devils won it in Fergie time with Sir Alex looking on from the stands – and it was Sesko who found the decisive goal to make it three wins from three for interim manager Carrick.

Sesko’s exquisite swivel and finish was arguably the standout moment of quality in the contest and the sense of joy and relief was written all over the Slovenian’s face as the hosts held firm to secure maximum points.

‘That will do him no end of good,’ ex-United and England forward Owen said on Premier League Productions after Sesko’s late heroics.

‘It’s not easy when you come in, such a high price tag and everybody is looking at you, everybody knows that’s been a problem position for so long.

‘It doesn’t start well, the team isn’t playing that well. How many times have we said that over the years? Manchester United’s number nine position has been a difficult position to fill.

‘Then he goes and does this! A lovely first touch, the defender just comes across and gives him a lovely little area to bend it around.

‘It’s a beautiful swivel and finish, great touch, bends, curls it into that far corner and the goalkeeper gets nowhere near it.’

Owen is hoping Sesko uses the dramatic stoppage-time goal to ‘kick-start’ his United career after what has been a mixed start to life in Manchester for the attacker.

‘You can’t help but feel really pleased for the lad. When you seen him struggling, it’s not a nice thing,’ Owen added.

‘I bet he’s been desperate for that moment and it’s come.

‘Hopefully that can really kick-start his Manchester United career.’

Facing the media shortly after the final whistle, Carrick applauded Sesko on his eye-catching cameo performance.

‘That’s the life of a striker, not that I know too much about it. You’ve got to be in there to take the chances,’ he told reporters.

‘Sometimes you miss the chances but he’s done a lot of great work in the past few weeks.

That’s what you get — you get your reward. And having the carrot to miss one, and to finish another. He’ll remember that for quite a long time.’

Asked what the win could mean for his side, Carrick replied: ‘This was a big game.

‘Fulham are a good team, just close behind us in the league. Every game is a big game and we have to treat it like that and we will do.

‘Today was a tough one, if not tougher because everyone expected that it would be different, but we didn’t and we got it in the end.’

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