Manchester United’s gamble: Sesko’s shin risk, de Ligt’s eight‑week return

Benjamin Sesko’s shin injury threatens Manchester United’s attack this season, while Matthijs de Ligt’s back surgery pushes his return to around the eight‑week mark, according to injury experts, leaving the club uncertain ahead of the opening league fixture.

Michael Carrick did what was asked of him in getting Manchester United back into the Champions League last season. The job now is to take the next step, with United having secured third place last term despite a light Premier League schedule and no European football.

Midfield rebuild and light schedule

United’s schedule was among the lightest in the Premier League last season, and the club finished third as expected. A midfield overhaul began with Casemiro’s departure, the missed signings of Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, and the arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.

Carlos Baleba could join the midfield, but if the deal goes through at Old Trafford he will be sidelined with an injury until September, adding another variable to United’s squad planning.

Sesko’s shin injury in detail

Sesko arrived for £74 million from RB Leipzig last summer and finished his debut campaign with 12 goals, the last in a 2‑1 win over Liverpool. He suffered a nasty tumble down the Old Trafford slope after a shove from Ibrahima Konaté, damaging his shin and missing the rest of the season.

Picture: Getty captures the moment of Sesko’s tumble, and he has missed every pre‑season match since. He travelled with the squad to Dublin for the friendly against Leeds and has been training, but has not logged any minutes, leaving his role in the opening weeks uncertain.

Stephen Smith, CEO of Kitman Labs, explained that bone‑stress reactions are painful and slow to heal, and recurrence risk is very real. “Once he aggravated that [against Liverpool], the healing clock reset,” Smith told Metro. He added that a cautious schedule is essential for Sesko’s recovery.

De Ligt was ever‑present before sitting out the win over Crystal Palace last November. Ruben Amorim optimistically predicted a quick return, saying, “For Matta, it is a small thing; I expect to have Matthijs back next game.”

The Netherlands international underwent back surgery and only this week returned to first‑team training. Smith said he is unlikely to feature in the first four to six weeks, estimating a possible comeback around the eight‑week mark.

United’s opening league match is against Hull City on Saturday, and both Sesko’s shin status and de Ligt’s rehabilitation will influence the manager’s selection options for that crucial start.