While headlines immediately painted a picture of chaos at Old Trafford, the reality after Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with West Ham on February 10, 2026, is far more layered.
Under interim manager Michael Carrick, the club’s perfect winning streak finally came to an end at the London Stadium, and much of the post-match discussion has centered on Benjamin Šeško, United’s dynamic forward who came off the bench to rescue a point.
Despite sensationalized reports of a “heated dressing room,” the actual events reveal a mix of tactical decisions, player frustration, and late-game heroics rather than outright meltdown.
The defining moment of the match came in stoppage time. United had struggled to break down a resolute West Ham side, even after dominating possession for the majority of the game.
Tomas Soucek’s second-half strike put the Hammers ahead, leaving United fans nervously anticipating the end of their team’s flawless run.
However, in the 69th minute, Carrick brought on Šeško for Matheus Cunha, a move that would ultimately prove decisive.
The Slovenian forward delivered a dramatic 96th-minute finish, flicking a cross from Bryan Mbeumo past the goalkeeper to secure a late equalizer.
This single act, coming from the player often used as a “super-sub,” became the focal point of post-match debates, as it highlighted both the brilliance of Šeško and the question of why he had not started the match.
Tensions surrounding the lineup stem from differing perspectives on Carrick’s tactical approach. Despite Šeško’s impressive form—scoring five goals in his last six appearances—Carrick has preferred to use him off the bench, citing the need for rotation and maintaining flexibility within the system.
However, Šeško’s late-game impact reinforced the view among fans and some insiders that benching him from the start may have been a costly error.
Many argue that if the striker had begun the game, United might have controlled proceedings and avoided conceding the early second-half goal.
The fanbase reaction has been vocal. Social media and insider reports suggest that a significant majority of supporters—91%, according to some polls—are frustrated with the cautious tactical approach and see Šeško as a player who deserves to start, rather than waiting for a late cameo.
Meanwhile, Carrick defended his decisions in his post-match comments, acknowledging the team’s lack of “sharpness” but emphasizing the challenges of a packed fixture schedule in February.
Šeško himself, while not publicly critical, showed body language that suggested a mixture of relief, satisfaction, and the desire for greater trust from his manager.
Looking ahead, the draw still keeps Manchester United in a strong position for the Premier League’s top four, especially with Chelsea dropping points in their own match that evening.
Yet, the reliance on late-game heroics underlines a broader issue: the squad’s current system, while effective at times, depends too heavily on substitutions and individual moments rather than consistent attacking cohesion from the outset.
For Carrick, the message is clear—maximizing the impact of key players like Šeško early in matches will be crucial if United are to maintain momentum in the race for Champions League qualification.
In short, the post-West Ham narrative is less about internal chaos and more about tactical choices, player management, and the challenge of balancing squad rotation with achieving immediate results.
United remain unbeaten under Carrick, but the game served as a reminder that relying on last-minute brilliance is not a sustainable formula for long-term success.
