Manchester United maintained their unbeaten start (W5, D1) under interim manager Michael Carrick, as Benjamin Sesko’s second-half strike sealed a hard-fought 1-0 Premier League victory over Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Having won just one of their previous five away league matches (D3, L1), United signalled their intent early on in Merseyside. Inside four minutes, Amad Diallo forced a goal-line scramble, with his low drive denied first by Jordan Pickford and then cleared to safety by James Tarkowski.

The visitors continued to carry the greater attacking threat as the first half wore on. Diogo Dalot came close with a fierce long-range effort that whistled narrowly wide, underlining United’s early dominance.

Everton, however, grew into the contest before the interval. Their best opportunity of the opening period fell to James Garner, whose well-struck free-kick was confidently gathered by Senne Lammens to ensure the sides went in level at the break.

The hosts nearly made the perfect start to the second half when Harrison Armstrong curled an effort towards goal from 12 yards, only for Lammens to react sharply and preserve parity. United responded soon after, but Bryan Mbeumo squandered a promising opening by firing over from a good position inside the area.

With David Moyes’s side — who had lost five of their previous nine home league games — pressing for a breakthrough, they were instead undone by a clinical counter-attack in the 71st minute. Matheus Cunha initiated the move with a precise forward pass into Mbeumo’s path. The winger composed himself before threading a perfectly weighted ball into the run of substitute Šeško, who guided a first-time finish into the far corner.

Everton refused to fold and pushed hard for a late equaliser. Michael Keane saw a thunderous strike from distance tipped over by the impressive Lammens, before Tyrique George was denied in the closing stages.

That proved to be the Toffees’ final opportunity, as Manchester United dug deep to see out the remaining minutes and claim a valuable three points, moving to within three of Aston Villa in third place.