Manchester Derby: Cunha or Sesko? Scholes tells Carrick which player to field vs Manchester City
By Luke Oluoch, September 13, 2026Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has challenged Michael Carrick to reshuffle his pack and throw Benjamin Sesko into the starting XI for the derby.
The Slovenian climbed off the bench to net what looked like a winner against Everton on September 6, 2026, and despite that fixture ending in a stalemate, Scholes believes Carrick must drop Matheus Cunha to install a natural focal point.
“I felt it was really timid against Everton,” Scholes said on his podcast. “There was no aggression, and Everton was there for the taking. There was so much space, and they never went for the throat. The centre-forward position is a bit of an issue because he is not playing Šeško.”
Michael Carrick has lined up with Matheus Cunha as a number nine, but the 11-time Premier League winner doubled down on the false-nine experiment:
“He is a focal point. It is very difficult to watch a Manchester United team without a centre forward. I don’t really know what Cunha is—is he a number 10 or a wide player? He is definitely not a number nine. Watching United without a number nine is a struggle.”
Sesko’s comeback
Sesko, who missed United’s preseason with a shin problem, seemed to have made a strong return to action after building on his scoring cameo against Everton with a goal in the Red Devils’ return to the UEFA Champions League games on Thursday, September 10, 2026, against Sabah FK.
The 23-year-old Sesko carved out a super-sub reputation last term with four goals off the bench, but Scholes argues the high stakes of a Manchester derby demand a proper number nine from the first whistle.
This comes after Wayne Rooney also tipped United’s clash against Manchester City to define how Carrick’s opening month is judged.
Carrick’s side looks to shake off an inconsistent start to the 2026/27 season, after losing once, a single win against Ipswich, and a draw.
“I think the big one is actually on the weekend. If Manchester United can win that derby, it turns into a good start. If they don’t, then it’s not a good start,” Rooney told BBC Sport.