Tim Sherwood issues public apology to Benjamin Sesko as striker flourishes under interim manager Michael Carrick

Tim Sherwood admits he was wrong about Benjamin Sesko, praising the Man Utd striker's transformation under Michael Carrick after calling him "not good enough."

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 4:27 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Football365

A Dramatic Shift in Form

Benjamin Sesko's arrival at Old Trafford from RB Leipzig for approximately £74 million was initially met with significant skepticism. During the opening months of the 2025/26 campaign under former manager Ruben Amorim, the Slovenian international struggled to adapt to the physical demands of the Premier League. His uninspiring form led to harsh critiques from pundits, including Tim Sherwood, who famously suggested in January that Sesko should "never wear a Man United shirt again" after a lackluster half-time performance. However, recent weeks have seen a dramatic reversal in the striker's fortunes, leading to a public U-turn from his most vocal detractors.

The Carrick Effect

The catalyst for Sesko's transformation appears to be the appointment of Michael Carrick as interim manager. Under Carrick’s guidance, the young forward has moved onto nine goals in 25 appearances across all competitions, including a prolific run of four goals in his last five Premier League games. Sherwood noted that Sesko is now "playing to his strengths," utilizing his pace to threaten defenders and showing a renewed sense of confidence. The former Spurs boss admitted that his initial assessment was based on a version of the player who seemed timid and failed to meet expectations, but he now acknowledges that the striker has become a "different player."

Comparison to Previous Signings

One of the most stinging aspects of Sherwood's original critique was his comparison of Sesko to Wout Weghorst, whom many consider a failed temporary signing for the Red Devils. Sherwood admitted he originally thought Sesko would suffer a similar fate, failing to justify his high price tag. The striker's inability to impact games early on fueled fears of another recruitment error. However, his recent ability to influence matches—both as a starter and as a substitute with an "attitude" to win—has distanced him from those comparisons and solidified his role in Carrick's attacking rotation.