The international break gives Michael Carrick a chance to address Manchester United's mounting problems after their winless run stretched to three matches. United rescued a point at Fulham last Sunday after a tough start to the campaign.
United sit 12th in the Premier League, with August's 5-2 win over Ipswich their only league victory this season. Their defensive record also needs attention, with just one clean sheet in seven games across all competitions.
Rooney dubious over Sesko injury
Wayne Rooney has added his voice to the growing number of ex-United stars casting doubt over Benjamin Sesko's mentality following his recent injury concerns. The striker withdrew from Slovenia's international squad, having sat out Sunday's 1-1 draw against Fulham with a shin complaint.
The same problem has troubled the 6'5" frontman since the end of last season when he fell awkwardly pitchside. United legends Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt both raised concerns over the setback on The Good, The Bad and The Football, particularly given United's severe lack of striker options.
Butt said "you either break your shin, or you play" as he appeared to raise umbrage with Sesko's resolve. Rooney has now voiced similar doubts about whether Sesko possesses the necessary mentality to represent his former club.
"Shin? Has he broken it? You can hurt your shin, you can take tackles... I bet he's wearing them little stupid shinpads as well," he said on the Stick to United podcast. "If you're trying to play No. 9 [for United] and you've got a must-win game and you've got a sore shin and you're not playing...that's a big part of the problem."
"Unless you physically can't play, you play when you're injured. I remember before games we used to get injections and the doctor used to put them in your arse."
JJ Gabriel 'definitely leaving' Old Trafford
German publication Bild has reported Gabriel "will definitely leave United" and will depart by next summer at the latest. He's virtually certain to exit the Premier League as Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain line up for his signature.
The outcome will prove disappointing to United supporters who anticipated Gabriel becoming the next figurehead of the team. Gabriel spent periods with Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham before joining United in 2022 but appears destined for continental football.
The teenager's prospects of securing a switch to one of the aforementioned powerhouses are bolstered because obtaining an EU passport shouldn't pose a problem. Any non-EU national would be barred from featuring for the first team of a club such as Barca or Bayern until their 18th birthday.
Nevertheless, Gabriel's route should be made considerably smoother by the fact his mother is Cypriot while his father, Joe, played for the Republic of Ireland. That said, Bild's report also noted he and his representatives are currently favouring a switch to Spain.
A lack of realistic title ambitions in the near future is reportedly a significant factor in Gabriel's thinking. Having already seen his request to be de-registered at United rejected, it seems only a question of time before the club's most prized young talent moves on.
