Manchester United's electrifying start under interim boss Michael Carrick nearly hit a snag against West Ham United, but a late goal from Benjamin Sesko rescued a 1-1 draw on Tuesday. Sesko's heroics preserved Carrick's unbeaten record, marking his second late strike in three matches after his stoppage-time winner against Fulham.
The draw at the London Stadium puts an end to United's run of four straight Premier League victories but extends their unbeaten streak to five games. Despite the setback, the Red Devils remain in fourth place in the Premier League, one point ahead of Chelsea.
Carrick acknowledged his team's performance was not up to par. "We were OK," Carrick said. "I think we were a little disappointed and we were definitely not at our best. It's times like that when you find a way and move on. I'm a little frustrated at that. It is a tough place to come and we didn't have that sharpness to find the answers".
West Ham, fighting to avoid relegation, took the lead in the second half through Tomas Soucek. United struggled to break down West Ham's defense, lacking their usual sharpness in attack. Bruno Fernandes, who had been instrumental in United's recent winning streak, found it difficult to influence the game.
However, United's resilience shone through as Sesko scored in the 94th minute, securing a crucial point. Bryan Mbeumo provided the assist, with Sesko flicking a brilliant finish inside the near post.
Carrick had to navigate the West Ham game without key players Mason Mount and Matthijs de Ligt due to injury. Mount is expected to return for United's match against Everton on February 23, while de Ligt's return timeline remains uncertain. Carrick is hoping they'll be back at his disposal in the not-so-distant future.
Despite the draw, Carrick's impact on Manchester United is undeniable. Since taking over, he has instilled a new sense of belief and organization within the team. While the performance against West Ham highlighted areas for improvement, the late equalizer demonstrated the team's fighting spirit and determination under Carrick's leadership. United still have deficiencies even amidst improvement.
Carrick, who spent 12 years as a player at Manchester United, returned to the club as head coach in January 2026. His initial spell as caretaker manager in 2021 was also successful. Carrick appreciates his first club West Ham United represent a difficult test.
Looking ahead, Manchester United will aim to build on their unbeaten run and secure a top-four finish in the Premier League. Carrick will be hoping to have Mount and de Ligt back in the squad soon, as United face a crucial run of fixtures.