It’s fair to say that Monday’s win over Everton won’t live long in the memory, although it was another case of job done for Manchester United and Michael Carrick in their bid for Champions League qualification.
It was only a matter of months ago that the Red Devils, then led by Ruben Amorim, were undone by a ten-man Toffees side at Old Trafford, with the hosts unable to break down their stubborn opponents, while shackled to a much-maligned 3-4-2-1 formation.
The display wasn’t much better this time around, although Carrick’s men just about got the job done, with Benjamin Sesko rounding off a sweeping counter-attack to continue his hot streak in front of goal.
That 74th-minute winner saw three of United’s four summer signings all involved, with Sesko pouncing on Bryan Mbeumo‘s pull-back, following a delightful lofted pass from Matheus Cunha to kick things off.
Whisper it quietly, but the recent summer window might well have been the best in an age in Manchester, with the hope being that United’s new men can drift toward Bruno Fernandes territory in the years to come.
How Man Utd’s summer signings have fared under Amorim vs Carrick
It’s difficult not to begin with that man, Sesko, with the Slovenian striker, alongside Kobbie Mainoo, having arguably been the biggest beneficiary of the change in the dugout.
Indeed, since Amorim’s exit in early January, the 22-year-old has scored six times in all competitions, three of which have come under Carrick after Darren Fletcher’s brief caretaker spell.
Remarkably, the £74m signing is yet to start a game under the new head coach, although has now scored a trio of vital goals off the bench, netting the winners against both Everton and Fulham, alongside his last-gasp flick to rescue a point at West Ham United.
Considering he scored just twice in total under Amorim’s watch, the ex-RB Leipzig man has certainly found a new lease of life, with Carrick also getting the best out of the aforementioned Cunha alongside him.
The Brazilian did score four goals and provide one assist in 18 games during Amorim’s tenure, yet now already boasts three goal involvements in just the last six games, including his stunning winner at the Emirates.
Mbeumo, too, appears to have kicked on even further under Carrick, with the last six games yielding five goals and assists, after racking up eight in 18 under the Portuguese.
The trio have rarely started together this season, although their combination at the Hill Dickinson points to a potentially fruitful partnership developing, with United’s three marquee forward signings having all made an impact during their debut campaigns.
That said, despite so often stealing the headlines, that triumvirate may not actually be emerging as the club’s best deal since Fernandes.
Man Utd star is now the best signing since Fernandes
There’s been a sense that it’s been United of old in recent weeks, with Monday’s winner seeing the away side produce a vintage counter-attack to clinch all three points, harking back to the great days of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
In each great Fergie team, there was a pool of frightening, dynamic forwards who could turn the game from defence into attack in an instant, with breakaway goals having been a familiar sight in that glittering, golden era.
Another key facet of arguably the Scotsman’s two greatest sides, in 1999 and 2008, was the presence of an elite goalkeeper, with the early signs suggesting that young Senne Lammens could be heading in a similar direction.
Man Utd star likened to 1999 treble winner after display against Tottenham
The Red Devils stretched their unbeaten run in dramatic fashion.
Still only 23, the Belgian ‘keeper has been a revelation since his late summer arrival from Royal Antwerp, showcasing why he was considered “one of the best in the world last season“, as per BBC Sport’s Umir Irfan.
Right from the off, following his clean sheet on debut against Sunderland, the composed stopper has brought a sense of calm between the sticks, with the Old Trafford crowd having audibly cheered at the sight of Lammens plucking the ball out of the sky against the Black Cats.
That penalty box presence was seen again on Monday night, with the £17m signing having repeatedly dealt with everything that came his way.
He may have only made four saves in total, although that included a stunning tip over the bar from ex-United man, Michael Keane, having also held onto every other attempt on goal, including Tyrique George’s venomous late strike.
|
Onana vs Lammens – 24/25 vs 25/26 PL |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat (*per game) |
Onana |
Lammens |
|
Games |
34 |
21 |
|
Clean sheets |
9 |
5 |
|
Goals conceded |
44 |
26 |
|
Goals conceded* |
1.3 |
1.2 |
|
Saves* |
2.6 |
2.3 |
|
Saves |
90 |
48 |
|
Touches* |
42.8 |
36.3 |
|
Pass accuracy* |
70% |
56% |
|
Goals prevented |
0.53 |
3.59 |
|
Error leading to goal |
3 |
0 |
Performing as if there’s glue on his gloves, Lammens is looking so impressive right now, boasting the kind of impact that just hasn’t been seen in the years since Fernandes’ arrival.
In all, the Red Devils have lost just twice in the Premier League this season with the number 31 in the sticks, some feat for a player who wasn’t necessarily brought in to immediately take the starting jersey.
As noted by The Athletic’s Adam Crafton, the one-time Anderlecht man does look like the Old Trafford side’s “best bit of business for a long time“, having somewhat surprisingly emerged as the best capture of an undoubtedly fruitful window for those in Manchester.
Better than Sesko & Lammens: Carrick has unearthed a “future Man Utd legend”
Manchester United made it 16 points from 18 in the Premier League with a hard-fought win at Everton.