Michael Carrick points to lack of sharpness after Manchester United draw with West Ham

• Michael Carrick cited a lack of sharpness after Manchester United drew 1-1 with West Ham at the London Stadium.
• United required a stoppage-time equaliser from Benjamin Sesko after Tomas Soucek had given the hosts the lead.
• Late contributions from substitutes shifted the momentum, while Leny Yoro delivered a strong defensive display.

Michael Carrick said Manchester United lacked sharpness after a 1-1 Premier League draw against West Ham on Tuesday night.

United selected an unchanged starting eleven for the trip to East London and depended on late intervention from the bench to secure a point. Tomas Soucek put the home side ahead, before Benjamin Sesko levelled deep into added time with a composed finish.

The visitors struggled to create sustained pressure and produced limited clear chances. Several attackers delivered subdued performances, which resulted in a display that rarely threatened West Ham’s defensive structure. Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee injected urgency after their introductions, while Leny Yoro made a series of timely defensive actions that helped prevent defeat.

Carrick attributed the performance to a lack of sharpness across key areas of play.

“We were ok. I think we were a little disappointed and we were definitely not at our best,” Carrick told TNT Sports. “It’s times like that when you find a way and move on. I’m a little frustrated at that. It is a tough place to come and we didn’t have that sharpness to find the answers. Great spirit again and we will take the point and move on.”

He added: “For where we are and being together for a short space of time, in the end we have took a point. It didn’t come easy and tonight we found a way to take a point. We will take some positives from it.”

Sesko delivered one of those positives with another decisive contribution.

“Fantastic finish. He has done it again,” Carrick said. “It is important. It is a great finish. Delighted for him. Another big goal and a good step.”

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Hailey

Hailey Russell is a football journalist and former Division 1 collegiate athlete in the United States, bringing a unique blend of elite playing experience and professional insight to her work. Currently competing at the professional level in Europe, Hailey combines first-hand knowledge of the modern game with sharp analysis across match reports, player development, and tactical breakdowns.