Michael Owen has firmly backed Manchester United manager Michael Carrick following the Red Devils’ derby defeat to Manchester City, insisting that Benjamin Sesko deserved to be dropped to the bench. In a blunt assessment of United’s attacking options, Owen stated that the forward is not currently among the top 10 players in his position. Carrick opted to leave Sesko out of the starting XI for the high-stakes encounter at Old Trafford, a decision that generated considerable discussion but one that Owen believes was entirely justified based on player quality and current standing.
Carrick’s tactical shake-up for his first Manchester derby as United head coach saw Marcus Rashford return to the starting lineup against City for the first time since March 2024. Rashford, who scored in his previous derby appearance during a 3-1 defeat at the Etihad two years ago, was chosen to lead the attack alongside Elliot Anderson. United’s defensive options were further constrained by the absence of Luke Shaw, who failed to recover from an injury in time to make the matchday squad after missing the midweek UEFA Champions League victory against Azerbaijan outfit Sabah FK.
The decision to bench Sesko comes amidst growing scrutiny over United’s squad depth and physical management during a demanding schedule. Prior to the derby, United stumbled to a 2-2 draw against Everton, raising questions about whether the roster can handle competing across three matches a week. Carrick had already shown a willingness to rotate, dropping four players who started in the win over Sabah for subsequent fixtures as several squad members continue building up match fitness. However, despite these rotations, concerns remain over whether United’s reliance on a core group of key names leaves them vulnerable during busy European and domestic runs.
For Manchester City, the match marked Enzo Maresca’s first Manchester derby since taking over from Pep Guardiola. Maresca named a formidable starting lineup featuring Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal behind a defense of Rico Lewis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Max Alleyne, and Nathan Ake. Rodri anchored the midfield alongside captain Bernardo Silva, while Antoine Semenyo, Phil Foden, and Jeremy Doku provided dynamic support for central striker Erling Haaland. Maresca also held deep options on his substitutes’ bench, including Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, and Nico O’Reilly, showcasing the contrasting squad depth between the two rivals.
The derby outcome reinforces broader opinions among analysts regarding the current balance of power. While former stars like Alan Shearer, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, and Owen have recognized top performers across the league—with Haaland, Declan Rice, Bruno Fernandes, and David Raya drawing widespread praise—United continue to face structural challenges under Carrick. With pundits such as Darren Bent, Shay Given, Leon Osman, Clinton Morrison, Don Hutchison, and Glenn Murray favoring Arsenal or City for title success, United’s struggle for consistency and squad depth remains a defining narrative in their domestic and European campaign.
