Benjamin Sesko officially withdraws from international duty

Benjamin Sesko’s Manchester United career has been repeatedly disrupted by injury since his arrival at Old Trafford.

The Slovenian striker scored 12 goals in 32 appearances during his first season with the club, but a recurring shin problem brought his campaign to a premature end.

Sesko aggravated the injury after colliding with Ibrahima Konate during United’s 3-2 victory over Liverpool in May, subsequently missing the final three matches of the season.

The 23-year-old was then unavailable throughout pre-season as he completed an individual rehabilitation programme, only returning as a substitute against Hull City on the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign.

Benjamin Sesko withdraws from Slovenia squad

Manchester United have now officially confirmed that Sesko has withdrawn from the Slovenia squad ahead of the upcoming three-week international break.

Sesko had been selected by Slovenia head coach Bostjan Cesar for four fixtures, including two matches against Scotland and meetings with North Macedonia and Switzerland.

However, the striker will no longer join his international teammates after experiencing further fitness problems following United’s 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton.

Sesko started that match and played for around an hour but was subsequently absent from the matchday squad for the 1-1 draw against Fulham.

Michael Carrick confirmed after that game that the striker had felt pain and was being assessed by the club, although United have not yet disclosed the precise nature or severity of the latest problem.

The club have now announced that Sesko will undergo further tests this week before an individual recovery plan is established.

That means United must wait for the results of those examinations before learning whether the forward is dealing with another recurrence of the shin injury which affected him last season.

His withdrawal should at least prevent Sesko from being exposed to the demands of four international fixtures while the issue is investigated.

The timing also gives him three weeks to recover before United return to Premier League action against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday, October 10.

However, Carrick will be concerned by another setback for a player who had only recently begun rebuilding his sharpness and momentum.

Sesko scored against Everton before finding the net again during the 4-0 Champions League victory over Sabah, demonstrating the physical presence and threat in behind that he can offer United’s attack.

If the Slovenian is unavailable beyond the international break, Carrick may have to rely more heavily upon Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo while once again operating without a recognised centre-forward.