Sesko Seals Dramatic Manchester United Win Over Fulham

Old Trafford was alive with drama on February 1, 2026, as Manchester United pulled off a breathtaking 3-2 victory over Fulham, thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenian striker, just 22 years old and still finding his feet in English football, delivered a moment that sent the Theatre of Dreams into raptures and propelled United back into the Premier League’s top four. For head coach Michael Carrick, it was another feather in his cap during a remarkable start to his tenure, while Fulham left Manchester feeling aggrieved by controversial refereeing decisions and their own late heartbreak.

From the opening whistle, it was clear this clash would be anything but routine. United started brightly, with Amad Diallo and Harry Maguire testing Fulham’s Bernd Leno, while Senne Lammens was called into action to deny Joachim Andersen at the other end. The first major flashpoint came when referee John Brooks awarded Fulham a penalty after Matheus Cunha went down under Jorge Cuenca’s challenge. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the penalty was overturned—the foul had occurred outside the box, and a free kick was instead awarded to United for a shirt pull by Cuenca on Cunha.

United wasted no time capitalizing on the reprieve. Bruno Fernandes delivered the resulting set-piece with trademark precision, and Casemiro rose highest at the back post to nod home the opener. The Brazilian’s leadership and work rate drew praise from teammates and coaches alike, with Sesko later remarking, “He is an unbelievable player—a legend. It is nice to play with him and also nice to listen to his advice. His work-rate is unbelievable and he gives all his teams a boost. We are grateful to have him with us.”

Chances remained at a premium for much of the first half, but the hosts doubled their lead after the break. Casemiro turned provider, threading a pass through for Cunha, who made no mistake as he lashed the ball into the top corner. At 2-0, United seemed to be cruising, but Fulham refused to buckle. They thought they had halved the deficit when Jorge Cuenca scored from close range, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside against Samuel Chukwueze in the build-up.

The game’s tempo surged in the closing stages. Sesko, introduced as a substitute, nearly made an instant impact with a header that struck the post. Then, the tide turned dramatically. Harry Maguire conceded a penalty, and Raul Jimenez stepped up to convert for Fulham, igniting a frantic finale. Moments later, substitute Kevin rifled a stunning shot from the edge of the area into the top corner, leveling the score at 2-2 and sending a wave of anxiety through the home crowd.

But United, under Carrick’s stewardship, have developed a knack for late heroics. With the match deep into stoppage time, Bruno Fernandes threaded a clever ball into the box. Sesko, showing poise beyond his years, swiveled and fired past a helpless Leno to make it 3-2. The eruption inside Old Trafford was deafening. “That was unbelievable. Scoring at home and scoring the winner is unbelievable. I’ve been dreaming about that. We all know, as a team, how important these results are. We are on a really great run right now and we are just hoping that we can continue to work hard like that to win games. I’m really happy that I could help the team out. We can continue our streak now,” Sesko told Sky Sports, his joy unmistakable.

Michael Carrick, who has now won four of his first five league games in charge—matching feats only accomplished by Sir Matt Busby and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in club history—was quick to highlight the collective effort and the magnitude of Sesko’s contribution. “For Ben to come on and have a moment like that is huge. It was nice for him to get his moment in front of the Stretford End. There’s not a better place to score a winner like that. It’s a big moment for everyone. You could tell that in the way everyone celebrated—from the staff to the supporters. It was one of those special ones,” Carrick told BBC Sport.

Carrick also addressed the narrative around United’s ability to grind out results in tough matches, particularly when ceding possession. Remarkably, United have now won all seven Premier League games this season in which they’ve had less than 45% possession, including the 42.4% recorded against Fulham. By contrast, with 45% or more possession, they’ve managed just four wins in 17 league games (with eight draws and five losses). “This was a big game for us. They are a good team and they are close behind us in the league. I think this ‘big game’ thing is all part of the narrative. Every game is a big game and we have to treat it like that. Next week we move on, but today was a tough one. It was even tougher because everyone expected going into the game it would be different. But we didn’t. We got our players mentally and physically right—and we got there in the end,” Carrick reflected.

Fulham, meanwhile, were left frustrated by the officiating. Head coach Marco Silva did not mince words regarding the penalty reversal that preceded United’s opening goal. “The story of the game started with a horrendous terrible decision from John Brooks with the penalty he gave. Horrendous decision from that moment, big, big mistake. The penalty was given by the tackle. After, because the decision was so bad, they found a different foul. The reason the free kick was there? My God! It was a bad, bad, bad decision,” Silva said, his disappointment evident.

The result marks United’s third consecutive Premier League win under Carrick, pushing them past Chelsea and Liverpool and back into the Champions League places. It’s been a whirlwind few weeks at Old Trafford, with the team rediscovering both resilience and flair reminiscent of their glory days. “It’s the best feeling I have to say,” Carrick admitted to reporters. “Some of the best moments I’ve been part of here, you can dissect performances and there are plusses and not, and then you get a moment of elation and excitement like that.”

As United fans filtered out into the Manchester night, the sense of optimism was palpable. With Carrick at the helm, a revitalized squad, and young talents like Sesko stepping up in the biggest moments, the Red Devils are once again dreaming big. The season is far from over, but on nights like this, anything feels possible at Old Trafford.