Michael Carrick reveals the reason why "Chesko" has not started for Manchester United since he replaced Ruben Amorim.
On 24 Feb 2026 GMT+7, after Benjamin Chesko became the hero by scoring the winning goal to help the "Red Devils" Manchester United edge Everton 1-0 away, the team increased their tally to 48 points, moving back up to 4th place in the Premier League standings and pushing Chelsea and Liverpool, both with 45 points, down to 5th and 6th respectively.
Chesko, a £74 million striker who joined during Ruben Amorim’s era, has not started a single match since Michael Carrick took over as interim manager. However, he has consistently made an impact, scoring in 3 of the 5 games he has appeared in as a substitute, helping the team earn 5 additional points and move closer to their key objective of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in three years.
Chesko told Sky Sports, "For me, what matters is that whenever I get on the pitch, I try to help the team. That’s why I’m here. Whether it’s 5 minutes or 90 minutes, it doesn’t matter. What’s important is to show that I can do it, and I’m very happy with that."
Michael Carrick praised his player, saying, "That finishing moment was outstanding—decisive and sharp. I like the way he struck the ball with full confidence. Credit must go to Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for creating the opportunity. We have players who are good at counterattacking. I’m happy for Ben again; he came on and made a difference."
When asked when Chesko would get a starting spot, Carrick responded, "I understand everyone is talking about this, but I have a good relationship with Ben. We have open conversations. He’s in a very good place. We are helping him develop, sometimes with small steps, sometimes big ones. Recently, he has made a significant leap thanks to the goals and increased confidence."
"We have to manage things properly because we have several quality forwards. It’s a decision that requires careful thought. But there are no issues between me and Ben. He definitely wants to play, and his attitude and dedication are excellent. The goals he scores demonstrate his confidence and sharpness, reflecting his current status."