Benjamin Sesko's Injury Woes Impact Manchester United
Benjamin Sesko was nowhere to be seen at Craven Cottage – and for Manchester United, that absence felt loud.
The Slovenian striker did not even make the bench for Sunday’s draw with Fulham, ruled out after feeling discomfort in the wake of his midweek start in the 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton. The pain is not new. It is the same shin problem that already wrecked a chunk of his year.
That original injury cost the 23-year-old the final three games of last season and wiped out his entire pre-season. United thought they had finally nursed him back; he returned as a substitute at Hull on the opening weekend and has since made six appearances across all competitions. Now, just as he was edging towards rhythm, the same issue has flared again.
Carrick offers no timeline
Speaking after the stalemate at Fulham, Michael Carrick cut a cautious figure. The United manager made it clear the club simply do not yet know how serious this setback will be.
“We're not sure with Ben yet,” Carrick said. “He felt a bit of pain after the game [against Brighton] so we're assessing him. At the moment, he definitely wasn't ready for [Fulham], so I haven't really got any more news to give you at this point. We'll have to see what that brings.”
No assurances. No dates. Just another key attacker drifting into the medical grey area that has clouded United’s start to the campaign.
The numbers tell their own story. United have only one win from their opening five Premier League matches, with the draw at Fulham adding to a stuttering beginning that has already put pressure on Carrick’s side. Sesko was signed to change the tempo in the final third; instead, his season is stop-start, his influence still largely theoretical.
Mixed news at Craven Cottage
There were at least some brighter notes in west London. Luke Shaw returned to the starting XI, a significant boost given his long absence and United’s defensive fragility. Big-money summer signing Carlos Baleba, a £70 million addition, made the squad for the first time after recovering from an ankle problem and was named among the substitutes.
Before kick-off, Carrick underlined just how important those steps were.
“Luke coming back is good for the squad. And having Carlos in the group for the first time... is important today,” he said, knowing he needs every fit body he can get.
Yet the injury list still stretches. Matthijs de Ligt travelled with the squad to London but was not fit enough to be considered for selection. Amad Diallo continues to wait for his first appearance of the season, another attacking option stuck on the sidelines at a time when United’s forward line looks thin.
International break brings questions, not calm
United now disappear into a three-week international break, a pause that might feel more like a medical summit. The club’s staff have time to test, scan and plan, but answers are not guaranteed.
It is unclear whether Sesko will pull out of Slovenia duty as his shin is reassessed. Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo also face uncertain weeks ahead, both doubts for England because of their own fitness concerns. For Carrick, that means three important names hovering between treatment room and training pitch with no firm resolution.
And waiting on the other side of the break? No easing-in period.
United host Tottenham on October 10 in a fixture that already carries weight for their league ambitions. Then comes a trip to Spain and a high-stakes Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid, a game where margins will be thin and chances at a premium.
By then, Carrick will know whether Sesko is part of the solution to United’s early-season drift – or another headline on an injury list that refuses to shrink.
