Wayne Rooney apologises to Benjamin Sesko

Manchester United’s early-season injury list has rarely stayed out of the headlines, but one absence in particular sparked genuine controversy last week.

Benjamin Sesko missed United’s 1-1 draw with Fulham through a recurrence of the shin problem that curtailed the closing weeks of his debut season, with Michael Carrick explaining beforehand that the striker had “pulled up after the game the other day with a little bit of pain.”

That explanation didn’t stop several former United players from publicly questioning the severity of the issue, with Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt both backing the view that a professional should simply wear protective gear and push through discomfort.

Wayne Rooney went considerably further on his Stick to United podcast, taking aim at Benjamin Sesko directly over his fitness for a “must-win game.”

“Shin? Has he broken it? You can hurt your shin, you can take tackles… I bet he’s wearing them little stupid shinpads as well,” Rooney said.

The former United captain didn’t hold back, adding, “If you’re trying to play No.9 for Man United and you’ve got a must-win game and you’ve got a sore shin and you’re not playing… that’s a big part of the problem.”

He went further still, reminiscing about his own playing days at Old Trafford, “Unless you physically can’t play, you play when you’re injured.

“I remember before games we used to get injections and the doctor used to put them in your arse.”

Benjamin Sesko had actually featured during United’s 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton before the injury flared up, playing 66 minutes before being withdrawn, and was subsequently left out entirely of the squad that travelled to Fulham.

United later confirmed the striker had withdrawn from Slovenia’s squad for the three-week international break as a precaution, with scans ordered to determine the true extent of the problem.

Wayne Rooney apologises to Benjamin Sesko

Rooney has now used the latest episode of Stick to United to walk back his earlier comments, saying, “If it’s long term I should apologise. So, I apologise if I misjudged you, sorry.”

The U-turn follows growing sympathy for Sesko once further details of his injury history emerged, with the issue first flaring up during the closing weeks of last season and wiping out his entire pre-season preparations this summer.

Sesko has managed 2 goals in 6 appearances this season, starting only twice, against Sabah in the Champions League and Brighton in the Carabao Cup, hardly suggesting a player looking to avoid involvement.

His absence leaves United relying heavily on Joshua Zirkzee and Matheus Cunha through the middle until the shin issue is fully resolved.