Manchester United have been handed a significant update on the fitness of summer signing Benjamin Sesko, with the striker expected to be sidelined for up to a month.
Injury Scare and Initial Fears
The £64 million acquisition from RB Leipzig was forced off late in the match against Tottenham before the international break, sparking immediate concern over a knee problem. Manager Ruben Amorim confirmed the issue post-match, stating, “We have to check, he had something in his knee. We have to see. Because it’s the knee we never know [how serious the injury is].”
Fears escalated when the 22-year-old withdrew from the Slovenian national squad, suggesting the injury could be more severe than first thought. However, a major setback has been avoided.
Recovery Timeline and Fixture Impact
According to a report from Sky Sports, Sesko has not sustained major damage and is likely to be out of action for no more than four weeks. This timeframe rules him out of several key Premier League encounters.
He is set to miss United’s upcoming fixtures against Everton, Crystal Palace, and West Ham. The trip to face Wolves on Monday, December 8, also comes too soon, with a return potentially pencilled in for the home game against Bournemouth on December 15.
Season Context and Performance Pressure
Since his high-profile move, Sesko has found the net twice in seven starting appearances for the Red Devils, scoring in consecutive games against Brentford and Sunderland. However, his start at Old Trafford has been under scrutiny.
He has occasionally been named on the bench by Amorim, who has preferred Matheus Cunha as the central striker. This, combined with his performances, prompted pundit Alan Shearer to question the transfer fee.
“They paid 70 odd million for him. That was a lot of money, I know it’s the market but it was too much,” Shearer told Betfair. “He’s had a tough start and I don’t expect huge things from him to be honest. He should have scored a couple more goals than he has so far.”
United will now navigate a busy festive period without their young striker, hoping for a swift and impactful return upon his recovery.
