Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim faces a significant selection headache as new signing Benjamin Sesko is set for an extended period on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Injury Blow During Tottenham Draw
The Slovenian striker, who joined United for a substantial fee this summer, was forced off during the 2-2 draw against Tottenham at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The full extent of the injury has now been revealed, with Sesko potentially missing up to eight matches across all competitions.
According to reports from The Athletic, the 22-year-old is expected to be sidelined for approximately one month with his knee complaint. The rehabilitation timeline suggests his absence could range between three to five weeks, depending on how his recovery progresses.
International Break Controversy
The injury situation created some tension during the November international break. Slovenia manager Matjaz Kek initially indicated that his side had received no communication from United before their fixture against Kosovo.
However, Kek later clarified his position, stating: "Completely expected from the English media. But I emphasise, once again, the moment that communication was established between us and the Manchester United medical team, the problem was solved in five minutes."
The discussion presumably confirmed Sesko's unavailability for international duty, with Slovenia subsequently failing to qualify for next summer's tournament in the United States.
Significant Fixture Impact
The timing of Sesko's injury presents a substantial challenge for United's attacking options. If he misses the shorter three-week timeframe, he would be absent for:
- Home fixtures against Everton and West Ham United
- Away matches at Crystal Palace and Wolves
A longer five-week absence would additionally rule him out of Premier League clashes against Bournemouth and Aston Villa, with a potential return scheduled for Boxing Day at home to Newcastle United.
United will be particularly keen to have Sesko available by late December, as key attackers Amad and Bryan Mbeumo are set to represent Ivory Coast and Cameroon respectively at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Defensive Injury Update
In more positive news for United, both Harry Maguire and Casemiro appear to have escaped serious injury despite being substituted during the Tottenham match. Casemiro has since played and scored for Brazil, while Maguire, who was seen clutching his hamstring, has been photographed working in the gym.
Long-term absentee Lisandro Martinez is also nearing a return to action, though the club is likely to manage his comeback carefully given he hasn't played since February.
