Interim manager Michael Carrick currently has 5 wins and 1 draw after 6 games in charge of the team.

Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United celebrates the only goal in their Premier League match against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images

Premier League Everton 0 Manchester United 1 (Sesko 71)

Jim Ratcliffe must be wondering. Under Michael Carrick, Manchester United moved closer to Champions League qualification thanks to the outstanding performance of Slovenian Benjamin Sesko in his second consecutive match. The summer signing came off the bench and scored the winning goal, helping United push Everton up to fourth place in the table, just three points behind Aston Villa.

Sesko, who had helped Carrick maintain United’s unbeaten run as manager in their previous match against West Ham, was once again the hero, helping them decide a difficult game against David Moyes’ side. Carrick now has five wins and one draw in six games in charge. The trial for the permanent manager position couldn’t have been better so far.

Dull starts have been a hallmark of Everton’s poor home run, but United’s first away trip to Hill Dickinson has brought improvement both on and off the pitch. Just as Moyes had hoped.

Both teams delivered a lively and dramatic opening, and the crowd responded with enthusiastic cheers. Thierno Barry saved Senne Lammens’ clearance right from the kick-off, leaving the United goalkeeper relieved to see the ball bounce out of bounds, resulting in a goal kick. Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo unleashed a powerful shot past Jordan Pickford on the visitors’ first attack. Fortunately for Everton, James Tarkowski was behind his goalkeeper and managed to clear the ball off the line.

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An impressive late performance helped Dundalk earn a point away from home against Shamrock Rovers.

United’s attacking play was more refined and controlled, with a dynamic forward line of Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha constantly causing problems for Everton’s defense. However, neither goalkeeper was caught off guard by Mainoo’s chance. Barry was isolated up front for Everton, their best moments coming from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s runs from midfield. Iliman Ndiaye frequently dropped too deep to provide effective support. Inaccurate decisive passes, whether technical or well-chosen, were a frequent cause of United’s defeats.

James Garner forced Lammens to make the first save of the game with a dangerous free-kick from 30 yards. That happened in the 39th minute. Pickford saved Diogo Dalot’s angled shot and saw Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes’ long-range shots go wide of the goal. Both teams’ defenses put up a strong fight throughout the first half.

United’s defense featured Leny Yoro after Lisandro Martínez was sidelined with a minor calf injury. This was Yoro’s first Premier League start since the draw against Leeds on January 4th, a match that saw Rubem Amorim make some ill-considered remarks directed at United’s management.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick waves to fans after their Premier League victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Photo: Peter Byrne/PA

Ndiaye proved his importance in attack for Everton just seconds into the second half. Escaping Casemiro’s marking, the Senegalese created a chance for Dewsbury-Hall inside United’s penalty area. The midfielder decided to pass to Harrison Armstrong in a clear position on the left wing, but the youngster’s shot went straight to Lammens.

Mbeumo had a clearer chance to break the deadlock a few minutes later. Mainoo controlled the ball well and delivered a dangerous cross from the right wing, but Tarkowski shot over the bar. The ball landed at the post for the United striker, but he volleyed it over Pickford’s head and into the Everton goal. Admittedly, it was a difficult chance from a tight angle, but Mbeumo must have expected to score from such close range.

The striker then took a painful blow to the chest from Tarkowski when the Everton captain lunged at him while shielding Pickford. The referees did nothing during the match.

Unlike the first half, the lively start of the second half was gladly maintained. Moyes’ side played a key role in the overall improvement as they pressed harder and more effectively. Ndiaye’s influence increased and both Dewsbury-Hall and Idrissa Gana Gueye had dangerous chances as the pressure from the home side increased.

Carrick responded by bringing Sesko on for Diallo just before the 60th minute. The £73.7 million summer signing proved to be more than what United needed. Thirteen minutes after coming on, Sesko scored the winning goal following a superb counter-attack by the visitors.

Everton were pressing deep in United’s half when Cunha received a header clearance and delivered a beautiful diagonal pass to Mbeumo. Mbeumo outpaced Michael Keane with speed and was alert enough to notice Sesko sprinting unmarked down the middle. His cross was perfectly placed, and so was his finish; he took a one-touch shot that beat Pickford’s left outstretched arm, giving the substitute a chance to celebrate to the enthusiastic cheers of the visiting fans.