Sesko Scores Late to Earn Manchester United a Draw with West Ham

Benjamin Sesko preserved Michael Carricks perfect record in his early days as Manchester Uniteds temporary manager by netting a dramatic equaliser in Tuesdays 1-1 stalemate against faltering West Ham.

United were behind following Tomas Souceks goal in the second period at the London Stadium, and Carrick was on the verge of his initial loss in five outings until Sesko delivered in the final moments.

Carrick has breathed new life into United, securing victories against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham after stepping in for the dismissed Ruben Amorim.

The ex United midfielder is managing only through the seasons end, yet his strong beginning has positioned him as a candidate for the full time role.

This uneven performance marked the weakest showing under his short tenure, though Carrick can draw positivity from his teams determination to avoid loss.

United maintained their fourth spot in the Premier League, leading fifth placed Chelsea by one point in the pursuit of Champions League qualification.

West Ham, sitting third from the bottom, missed the chance to build on their advantage, leaving them two points adrift of fourth bottom Nottingham Forest in the drop zone fight.

Forest have a match to play against league basement dwellers Wolves on Wednesday.

Devoted United supporter Frank Ilett missed out on his eagerly awaited trim due to the result.

Ilett has gained over two million followers on social media after vowing in October 2024 to let his hair grow until United achieved five straight wins.

Now he must wish for another run of successes from United before he can finally cut it.

West Ham attacker Crysencio Summerville, with five goals in his last five matches, nearly added a sixth via a powerful shot that Senne Lammens tipped away with a full length dive.

United found it hard to establish a consistent flow during much of the opening half.

They posed an infrequent danger off Bruno Fernandes free kick, as Luke Shaws effort from near the line was blocked by Aaron Wan Bissaka.

Uniteds attackers lacked supply, and when Amad Diallo got a glimpse at goal, he blasted the ball into the side netting from a tight angle right before the break.

Carricks squad suffered for their sluggishness just five minutes after the restart.

Failing to pin West Ham with an aggressive press, United were left exposed by a sharp counter.

Soucek found Jarrod Bowen on the right side and timed his surge to connect with the England players low delivery, volleying home from close range.

It proved a careless concession, with Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo both slow to react as the play developed.

United had a 63rd minute leveller disallowed after Casemiros header was deemed offside via VAR check.

Carricks players controlled the latter phase, but it seemed their opportunity had slipped when Joshua Zirkzee nodded just wide from point blank in added time.

Yet West Ham faced a cruel twist as Sesko equalised in the dying seconds.

Bryan Mbeumo delivered a tempting ball, and Sesko cleverly directed it beyond West Ham custodian Mads Hermansen from 10 yards out.