Benjamin Sesko's Injury Crisis: Manchester United vs Slovenia

Manchester United have drawn a hard line over Benjamin Sesko’s fitness, blocking the striker from joining up with Slovenia for their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures as his shin problems rumble on.

The 23-year-old has been managing pain in his shin since the back end of last season. It cost him the run-in of the 2025-26 campaign, then wiped out his entire pre-season. He only resurfaced as a substitute on the opening weekend, coming off the bench against Hull City in United’s first Premier League game of 2026-27.

There were flashes of the forward United thought they were getting. Two goals in six appearances so far this term hint at potential. But the reality has been more stop-start than surge. Sesko laboured through the EFL Cup tie against Brighton & Hove Albion last week, then disappeared from the squad entirely for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Fulham.

Slovenia left waiting

For Slovenia, the frustration is building.

Sesko had been named in Bostjan Cesar’s squad for a demanding Nations League schedule: back-to-back meetings with Scotland, plus games against North Macedonia and Switzerland. Instead, he will stay in Manchester, under the supervision of United’s medical team.

The club have refused to allow him to travel to Slovenia for assessment, a stance that has not gone unnoticed. His repeated absences from international duty since moving to Old Trafford have already placed a strain on relations between player, club and country.

United confirmed the decision in a statement.

“Manchester United can confirm that Benjamin Sesko has withdrawn from the Slovenia squad ahead of the upcoming three-week international break,” the club announced.

“The striker had been called up by head coach Bostjan Cesar for two games against Scotland, plus meetings with North Macedonia and Switzerland, but he will now no longer join the squad.

“Sesko last appeared in our Carabao Cup tie with Brighton & Hove Albion, but was absent from the matchday squad for our most recent encounter with Fulham. Benjamin will undergo tests this week before defining his individual recovery plan.”

The message is clear: United want total control over his recovery.

Carrick cautious, Spurs in sight

Michael Carrick is not ready to make promises. Not to Slovenia, and not even to his own supporters.

“We’re not sure with Ben yet. He felt a bit of pain after the game, we’re assessing him,” the United head coach told reporters when pressed on Sesko’s condition.

“At the moment, he definitely wasn’t ready for today, so I haven’t really got any more news to give you at this point. We’ll have to see what that brings.”

Inside the club, there is hope he will be ready to face Tottenham Hotspur on October 10. Hope, not certainty. The tests scheduled for this week will shape an individual recovery plan and, with it, a clearer timeline.

For a player whose United career has yet to fully ignite, the timing matters.

A career still waiting to catch fire

Sesko arrived from RB Leipzig last summer as a long-term project with a high ceiling and a highlight reel to match. The raw numbers since then are respectable but not spectacular: 14 goals and one assist in 38 appearances in all competitions for United.

In the Premier League, he has 12 goals and one assist across 34 matches. Enough to show he belongs at this level. Not enough to silence doubts about his consistency.

There have been bursts – the odd ruthless finish, the runs in behind that stretch defences, the glimpses of a centre-forward who could anchor United’s attack for years. But every time momentum starts to build, something seems to interrupt the rhythm. This time, it is his shin and a tug-of-war between club and country.

United are banking on patience, careful management and the belief that this is a young striker still growing into his frame and his role. Slovenia, staring at a crucial Nations League window without their leading forward, might see it very differently.

The next few weeks will not just decide whether Sesko makes it back in time for Tottenham. They may also define how long this uneasy truce between Old Trafford and Ljubljana can really last.