‘It's painful for everyone' -Man United's Benjamin Sesko determined to stay positive despite late dropped points

Benjamin Sesko says Manchester United must try to take positives from the 'painful' last-gasp draw at Everton and reset ahead of their long-awaited Champions League return. The Red Devils have made a topsy-turvy start to Michael Carrick's first full campaign as head coach, with a shock 2-0 loss at Championship play-off winners Hull rocking them on their heels on the opening weekend. United bounced back with a 5-2 Old Trafford triumph against Ipswich, another promoted team, and were seconds away from making it back-to-back wins thanks to substitute Sesko's late header at Everton on Sunday. But David Moyes' men dug deep at the end of a difficult week at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where deadline-day signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles slammed home a stoppage-time stunner to make it 2-2. Benjamin Sesko says Manchester United must try to take positives from the 'painful' last-gasp draw at Everton and reset ahead of their long-awaited Champions League return © Peter Byrne/PA Wire 'We're disappointed of course because we were very close yet so far,' United striker Sesko said. 'To concede a goal like this, especially in those last, last minutes, it happens the way it did, it's painful for everyone because everyone was giving everything trying to win the game because we really want (to win). 'Every single person here wants that and then in the moments like this, when this last kind of shot decides (the game), it's just very, very painful. 'It's really important to take everything as positive, even though it's not the best option from today. 'But just to see the game in a good light, try to improve and focus for the next game and try to win the next game. That's the way it is.' The dropped points at Everton could prove crucial down the line given Moyes' threadbare side are expected to struggle this term, yet Carrick insisted his side's start to the season was 'not that bad'. United face their biggest test yet against rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford in the Premier League next weekend but before that comes a first Champions League match since December 2023. Thursday's league phase opener against Sabah – the champions of Azerbaijan, who were only formed in 2017 – looks a great opportunity to get back on track and for Sesko to get a first start of the campaign. The 22-year-old, signed from RB Leipzig last year, has been dealing with a shin injury picked up in May, ruling him out of pre-season action and restricting him to three substitutes appearances this term. 'For me, obviously it's the best feeling when I'm scoring, especially for the club like that,' Sesko told MUTV having scored his first goal since the May 3 match against Liverpool in which the issue flared up. 'When I can provide the goals, when I can provide the points for the team. It's my job in the end of the day. 'It's nice to be back, to be with the team, to experience all the games again. 'Of course I would wish that especially today we would win that. It would be very nice, but we can't change that.'