Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko is expected to be sidelined until at least January after a shin injury forced him off the pitch in September. The 23‑year‑old, who joined the club from RB Leipzig for £73.7 million in August 2025, has not appeared for the Red Devils since the Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton on 16 September, when he was substituted in the 66th minute. Multiple medical tests have been carried out, and manager Michael Carrick has repeatedly asked when the player will be fit to return. Sources say the problem is not simple shin splints but an impact injury, a different issue from the original complaint.
Sesko’s shin problem has been a recurring theme for the season. He missed the entire pre‑season period with the same complaint, which also flared up in May last year against Liverpool, ruling him out of the final three Premier League matches. Despite the injury setbacks, Sesko has made 38 appearances in all competitions for United, scoring 14 goals and providing one assist. He finished the previous season as the club’s joint‑top scorer in the Premier League, netting 11 goals alongside Bryan Mbeumo, even though he missed eight matches.
The striker’s absence has left Carrick without a traditional number nine, a position that has been a focal point of United’s recent struggles. Sesko has already scored twice this term – once against Everton in the Premier League and once for the club in the Champions League against Sabah FK. After the second goal he expressed relief at finally being injury free, but the relief was short‑lived as the shin issue returned. United will now miss him for several key fixtures, including Premier League clashes with Liverpool and Arsenal, and at least three Champions League matches. Whether the injury will force the club to seek a replacement in the January transfer window remains uncertain, but the lack of an orthodox forward has been cited as a reason for the team’s inconsistent form.
United’s league position has slipped to 16th, with their last league victory coming against Ipswich on 30 August and no wins in any competition since 10 September. The club’s recent cup performances have also been disappointing, highlighted by a 4‑1 loss to Como in the Champions League. Captain Bruno Fernandes has publicly criticised Carrick’s tactics following the defeat, and the two have reportedly had a “clear‑the‑air” conversation after Fernandes was an unused substitute in the 3‑0 home loss to Bournemouth. Carrick, who was widely expected to be dismissed after the Bournemouth defeat, will still take charge of the upcoming match against Chelsea on Saturday.