Manchester United enjoyed a commanding 4-0 victory over Sabah in their Champions League opener, yet manager Michael Carrick is facing a selection headache as the team prepares for the crucial Manchester derby. Despite the win, the performance of Slovenian striker Benjamin Šeško has added complexity to Carrick's lineup decisions.

Šeško, who recently scored against Everton, continued his scoring streak with a goal against Sabah, showcasing his potential to secure a starting spot in the upcoming derby against Manchester City. Having missed the entire pre-season due to an injury, the 23-year-old striker had been limited to bench appearances in the first three Premier League matches. However, his goal against Sabah has reignited discussions about his role in the team.

In the match against Sabah, Šeško capitalized on a pass from teammate Bryan Mbeumo, deftly maneuvering past the goalkeeper to net his second goal in just five days. He played 63 minutes before being substituted for Joshua Zirkzee, a decision that may reflect Carrick's caution regarding Šeško's fitness or a strategy to conserve energy for the derby.

As Carrick weighs his options, he faces a dilemma regarding which player to bench if Šeško is included in the starting eleven. With Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha both having scored in recent matches, and Marcus Rashford's prior excellent performance against Everton, the competition for starting positions is fierce. Šeško's unique skill set, including his physicality and ability to play as a central striker, offers a different attacking dynamic compared to his teammates.

Šeško's recent performances have been encouraging, and he appears to have regained his scoring touch after a challenging recovery period. Carrick praised Šeško's contributions, noting his active involvement in the match against Sabah, where he not only scored but also displayed determination by winning back possession from defenders.

As Manchester United prepares for the Manchester derby, the team is eager to build on this positive start in the Champions League after nearly three years away from the competition. With big challenges ahead, Carrick's decisions regarding player selection will be crucial in determining the team's success in both the derby and the Champions League campaign.