Benjamin Sesko's shin setback clouds Manchester United's attack

A fresh shin problem has emerged for Benjamin Sesko, the Slovenia striker, after a heavy landing on Old Trafford’s famous slope against Liverpool in May reignited the injury that first flared in early spring. The setback comes as Man Utd chase a top‑three finish and leaves their long‑term attacking plan in doubt.

Sesko impressed in his first season in England, delivering a strong second‑half surge that raised hopes he could become Manchester United’s long‑term focal point up front. Under Michael Carrick’s guidance he averaged a goal every 85 minutes, a striking return for a newcomer.

The shin issue forced him to miss every minute of pre‑season action over the summer, delaying his start to the new campaign. Although he started in the Champions League tie against Sabah and the Carabao Cup match versus Brighton, he was limited to the bench for United’s opening four Premier League fixtures and omitted entirely for the Sunday trip to Fulham.

A recurrence of the same shin problem later forced Sesko to withdraw from the Slovenia squad for the international break. He has been undergoing further tests back at the club’s Carrington facility this week, with a recovery plan still to be decided.

Treatment outlook and expert view

Stephen Smith, chief executive of Kitman Labs, told Metro that the risk of recurrence is ever‑present and that caution is now the operative word. “The first thing you try isn’t always going to be the thing that works,” he said, adding that United will reassess the initial approach and consider more specific bone‑or soft‑tissue therapies.

If imaging reveals a structural issue such as a stress fracture, more invasive measures could be discussed, including possible surgery. Smith explained that beyond X‑rays, United may employ MRI or CT scans to detect microfractures, which can be treated by creating small bone breaks to stimulate blood flow.

Upcoming fixtures and timeline

United’s next match is on 10 October at home to Tottenham, a must‑win for Carrick after his side have collected only five points from five games. The three‑week international break will chip away at Sesko’s recovery window, but extensive testing this week could determine whether a conservative approach or a more aggressive intervention is required.

Should the shin trouble linger, United risk another extended lay‑off for their primary striker, a scenario that would leave Carrick scrambling for alternatives as the club pushes for a top‑three finish. The club’s medical team will therefore weigh the balance between caution and the urgent need for a formidable presence up front.