Manchester United's Injury List Grows as Benjamin Sesko Withdraws
Manchester United’s growing injury list claimed another name on Monday as Benjamin Sesko withdrew from Slovenia duty, capping a bruising 24 hours of international pull-outs for the club.
The 23-year-old striker missed United’s 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday, still troubled by a shin problem picked up in the Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton last week. United had hoped the issue might settle, but the damage was clear: Sesko will now sit out Slovenia’s entire upcoming schedule.
That means no involvement in two Nations League clashes with Scotland, and no part in further fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland during a three-week international window that was supposed to showcase him as one of Slovenia’s key attacking threats.
“Manchester United can confirm that Benjamin Sesko has withdrawn from the Slovenia squad ahead of the upcoming three-week international break,” the club said in a statement. “Benjamin will undergo tests this week before defining his individual recovery plan.”
The tests will shape how long United must do without a forward they increasingly rely on. For now, he is simply the latest name on a list that keeps lengthening.
United’s international exodus grows
Sesko became the fourth United player to pull out of international duty on Monday alone. Goalkeeper Karl Darlow also left the Wales camp, despite being fit enough to sit on the bench at Craven Cottage.
His departure added to an already miserable day for Craig Bellamy’s side. Wales also lost Leeds winger Harry Wilson to a quad injury, while Wrexham striker Nathan Broadhead was ruled out, stripping Bellamy of three attacking and goalkeeping options in one hit.
For United, Darlow and Sesko join Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo as early casualties of this international break. Both Rashford and Mainoo were among a five-man group to withdraw from the England squad, turning what should have been a routine call-up period into a headache for club and country.
Michael Carrick confirmed Rashford picked up what he called an “issue” at Fulham. The forward was substituted after appearing to struggle with his hip, a problem that had already dogged him over the summer. Rashford’s discomfort was obvious as he left the pitch, and England’s medical team were given no chance to assess him in camp.
Mainoo, who travelled to this summer’s World Cup but did not play a minute under Thomas Tuchel, also failed to finish the draw at Craven Cottage. The midfielder was withdrawn in the closing stages, another late worry on a night that already felt costly.
Four withdrawals. One weekend. An international break barely underway and already reshaping United’s plans for the weeks ahead.
