Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko is expected to be sidelined until at least January due to a shin injury, dealing a major blow to the club ahead of a crucial period of the season.
As reported by BBC Sport on Wednesday, the 23-year-old Slovenia international has not featured for United since their defeat by Brighton in the Carabao Cup on September 16, when he was substituted in the 66th minute.
Sesko has undergone multiple medical tests to determine the cause of the problem, with sources indicating that the current issue is an impact injury rather than shin splints.
The injury has been a recurring concern for the striker, who missed the entirety of pre-season with a similar complaint. The problem also flared up against Liverpool in May last season, forcing him to miss the final three Premier League matches.
Since joining Manchester United from RB Leipzig in August 2025 in a deal worth £73.7 million, Sesko has made 38 appearances in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and providing one assist.
Despite missing eight matches, he finished last season as the club’s joint-top scorer in the Premier League with 11 goals, alongside Bryan Mbeumo.
His absence has left manager Michael Carrick short of options in attack, with Sesko regarded as the club’s only orthodox centre-forward.
The striker scored twice this season, finding the net against Everton in the Premier League and Sabah FK in the Champions League. Following the latter match, he expressed relief at being free from injury, but his latest setback has disrupted his progress.
Sesko is now expected to miss several important fixtures, including league meetings with Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as at least three Champions League matches.
His prolonged absence could also influence United’s plans for the January transfer window, with the club’s lack of a natural centre-forward emerging as a concern amid their poor run of form.
United have struggled in the league, with their only victory coming against Ipswich on August 30. They have also gone without a win in all competitions since September 10.
Tensions have reportedly increased following last Wednesday’s 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League, after captain Bruno Fernandes criticised Carrick’s tactics.
Fernandes was an unused substitute during Sunday’s 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth, but reports indicate that the pair held talks on Tuesday in an attempt to resolve their differences.
Carrick had been widely expected to lose his job following the Bournemouth defeat. However, he is set to remain in charge for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Chelsea, scheduled for 12:30 GMT.
With Sesko facing an extended spell on the sidelines and United struggling for consistency, the coming weeks could prove decisive for the club’s campaign and its plans to strengthen the squad.
