Paul Scholes urges Michael Carrick to drop Man Utd star against Man City

Scholes wants to see Sesko start (Picture: The Good, The Bad and The Football)

Paul Scholes insists Benjamin Sesko must start up front for Manchester United ahead of Sunday’s derby showdown with Manchester City, unconvinced by Matheus Cunha’s role in the team.

Sesko averaged a goal every 85 minutes under Michael Carrick last season but is still to start a game this term having missed the entire pre-season campaign with a shin issue.

Cunha has led the line against Hull City, Ipswich Town and Everton with Sesko off the bench in the second-half in each of them.

The Slovenia international looked to have secured a big win for United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday, meeting Luke Shaw’s cross with a fine header before Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ stunning equaliser at the death.

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Bryan Mbuemo and Marcus Rashford have started the season well on the right and left respectively but Carrick’s attack has been missing a true focal point with Scholes not convinced Cunha can provide that.

Most of the Brazilian’s football in Manchester since arriving from Wolves last year has come playing on the left with the United legend unsure what his best role in the side is.

United welcome City to Old Trafford on Sunday with Scholes hoping Carrick makes the decision to start a recognised centre forward.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 6: Manchester United's Matheus Cunha passes the ball with Everton's Harrison Armstrong close by during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 6, 2026 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Cunha has started up front for United this season (Picture: CameraSport via Getty Images)

‘I felt it was really timid against Everton,’ Scholes said on The Good, The Bad and The Football. ‘There was no aggression and Everton were 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 Sesko.

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by News Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock (17137250bi) Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United scores to make it 0-2 during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool, United Kingdom, on September 6, 2026. Everton v Manchester United - Premier League 2026/27, Liverpool, United Kingdom - 06 Sep 2026
Sesko came off the bench at Everton to score (Picture: Images/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)

‘He is a focal point. It is very difficult to watch a Manchester United team without a centre forward. With Cunha, we don’t really know what he is, a no10 or a wide player but he’s definitely not a no9 and watching United without a no9 is a struggle.’

City head to Old Trafford with a 100 per cent record having won their opening three games of the new season.

United meanwhile have taken four from a possible nine.

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