Five things we learned as Man United dig deep to win at Everton

Liverpool – Manchester United climbed into the Premier League’s top four on the back of a solitary Benjamin Sesko strike that felt worth its weight in gold after 90 bruising minutes at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. The Slovenian’s thumping finish, his third in four appearances, was enough to subdue an Everton side that hurled everything at the visitors yet found no way past a resolute back line and an inspired Senne Lammens.

Here are the key takeaways from a tense 1-0 victory that keeps United’s Champions League hopes alive.

1. Sesko’s case for a starting place is now impossible to ignore The 20-year-old’s introduction from the bench has become a catalyst. On 67 minutes he combined with fellow summer recruits Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha on a sweeping counter that began inside United’s half and ended with Sesko rifling low into the far corner. The move was textbook United DNA: pace, precision and clinical edge. With Crystal Palace looming at the weekend, interim boss Michael Carrick faces mounting pressure to promote his in-form striker to the XI.

2. Lammens stands tall under aerial siege Everton’s response was relentless: 12 corners, countless long throws and a succession of rugby-scrum set-pieces. Each time the 21-year-old Belgian goalkeeper either plucked the ball from a maze of limbs or produced a decisive punch to relieve pressure. His clean sheet owed as much to courage as to technique, and it preserved the three points United scarcely deserved on balance of play.

3. Sluggish tempo raises fitness questions United’s last competitive outing came 13 days ago against West Ham, yet they laboured through long spells looking leggy and short of ideas. Carrick now has the rare luxury of empty midweeks—elimination from both domestic cups and no European schedule—but must solve why a well-rested squad appeared second-best for much of the contest.

4. Yoro seizes his chance amid Martinez setback Lisandro Martínez’s latest injury lay-off forced a reshuffle at centre-back, and Leny Yoro answered the call with composure. The Frenchman won seven of eight aerial duels, blocked two goal-bound efforts and looked every inch a player refreshed by his recent run of starts. His performance eases fears over defensive depth heading into the season’s final push.

5. Breaking the low block remains a riddle For all their swagger against City and Arsenal, United again struggled when invited to break down a deep, disciplined Everton shape. Amad endured a rare off-night, and midfield creativity dried up, leaving Carrick’s men reliant on a lightning break rather than sustained pressure. Until a reliable tactical antidote is found, nights like this may stay on the menu.

The result lifts United above Tottenham on goal difference and, more importantly, injects belief that a season drifting toward mediocrity still has a silver lining. Carrick will demand greater fluency, but for now he will settle for grit, graft and a striker who keeps finding the net when it matters most.