Carrick thrilled to steer United into top three

Manchester United's interim boss Michael Carrick allowed himself a brief smile when asked about the sound echoing around Old Trafford on Sunday, when thousands of fans chanted his name as he made his way along the touchline.

United had come from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1, and for a man who spent more than a decade patrolling the club's midfield, the chant was appreciated.

Under its interim boss, United is unbeaten in seven and back in the Premier League's top three for the first time since May 2023.

"Yeah, it's nice obviously," Carrick said. "This place means a lot to me, so to have so much positivity and everyone enjoying coming to the games and watching it, and me to obviously have an influence on that, I'm not going to lie, of course it feels good."

The 44-year-old, who played for United from 2006 to 2018, has guided the team to six wins and a draw since he was appointed after the Jan 5 sacking of Ruben Amorim.

He was quick, however, to deflect the spotlight.

"I think the players have got to take a lot of credit for what they've put on the pitch," said Carrick. "So it's certainly not all me.

"But that connection with the supporters is huge, to feel that, and for them to stay with us, even after a bit of a (slow) start, and finish the game like that, yeah, it means a lot."

Sesko scores again

Benjamin Sesko struck the winner on Sunday, rising to head home a pinpoint freekick from Bruno Fernandes, who scored United's other goal from the penalty spot.

"It feels like a big result, we were behind and had to show some character," Fernandes said.

"There are still a lot of games to go (in the race for a top-four finish), and it is important that we don't feel that we are in the position that we need to be. We need to make as many points as we can."

It was the 22-year-old Sesko's seventh goal in eight matches in all competitions, and his third in his last three, extending a purple patch that has mirrored Carrick's own.

"Absolutely delighted for Ben," Carrick said.

"I've sat here the last few weeks telling you, it's certainly not been a headache, not a big drama. He's had a huge impact, but he's also making big improvements.

"Some of it is just getting used to what it's like to be here; the feelings, what it means to play, things that we can take for granted."

Sesko's work ethic, Carrick said, had been central to his emergence.

"He's desperate to do well. He works so hard.

"He thinks about it an awful lot. He's an absolute pleasure to work with," Carrick said of the Slovenian."And today, yeah, he started, and it was a fantastic goal.

"We've got good flexibility across the front line, different roles, different options.

"It might change again on Wednesday, but it's nice to have those options."

Asked how much of Sesko's emergence came from self-belief and how much from playing to his strengths, Carrick leaned into the shared responsibility.

"Maybe a bit of both," he said. "Since working closely with him, building that relationship and trust, I think that's important.

"But he's put the work in. He stayed positive. He's a good player, that's why he's here. He's got some great strengths, he's such a real threat."

Carrick did not want to get carried away, but he made no effort to hide his excitement.

"It's still early days for him, he's so young," the interim boss said. "But he's doing fantastically at the moment. And I'm really excited about where he can get to."

This latest win not only boosted United's push for a return to the Champions League, but further strengthened Carrick's credentials to be given the top job on a long-term basis.

His cause will have been helped by overcoming a Palace team coached by Oliver Glasner, who was one of the early favorites for the job when United fired Amorim.

Riposte to Ratcliffe

Manchester United supporters delivered a pointed response to minority owner Jim Ratcliffe's immigration comments, unfurling a banner celebrating the club's foreign players during Sunday's 2-1 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace.

The Stretford End displayed a banner reading "MUFC proudly colonized by immigrants" — a clever riposte to Ratcliffe's remark last month that Britain had been "colonized by immigrants".

The billionaire has since apologized, saying he was sorry he had caused offense with his comments that even drew a rebuke from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

United fans showcased images of beloved foreign players past and present, including France's Eric Cantona and Patrice Evra, South Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung, Norway's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Brazil's Casemiro, Ivorian Amad Diallo and Fernandes.

Apt, considering United's comeback win rested squarely on the efforts of its Portuguese skipper and its Slovenian striker.

Agencies