Sesko Setback Deepens Manchester United's Struggles

Manchester United arrived at Craven Cottage on Sunday without one of the players they can least afford to lose. Benjamin Sesko never made it onto the teamsheet.

The Slovenian striker was left out of the squad after feeling discomfort following his start in Wednesday’s 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton, and the news is as worrying as it sounds for United. The problem is a recurrence of the shin injury that already wrecked his summer and cut short last season.

That first spell on the sidelines cost the 23-year-old the final three games of the previous campaign and wiped out his entire pre-season. Just as he had fought his way back, the same issue has flared again.

Carrick offers no timeline

Speaking after the draw with Fulham, Michael Carrick could offer no clarity, only caution.

"We're not sure with Ben yet," the United manager said. "He felt a bit of pain after the game [against Brighton] so we're assessing him. At the moment, he definitely wasn't ready for [Fulham], so I haven't really got any more news to give you at this point. We'll have to see what that brings."

No return date. No reassurance. Just another key attacker added to an already crowded treatment room.

Sesko’s absence comes at the worst possible moment. United have taken only one win from their opening five Premier League fixtures, and the stalemate at Fulham did little to change the mood. The forward has featured six times in all competitions this season, his first minutes coming off the bench against Hull on the opening weekend, but any rhythm he was building has now been broken again.

A sliver of good news

There were at least some brighter notes at Craven Cottage.

Luke Shaw returned to the starting XI, a significant boost on the left side of defence after his own lay-off. Big-money summer signing Carlos Baleba, a £70 million arrival, made the bench for the first time following an ankle issue, a small but important step in his integration.

"Luke coming back is good for the squad. And having Carlos in the group for the first time... is important today," Carrick said before kick-off, welcoming two badly needed reinforcements.

The optimism stopped there. Matthijs de Ligt travelled with the group to London but was not fit enough to be involved. Amad Diallo is still waiting for his first appearance of the season. Every solution seems to arrive with another problem attached.

International break brings questions, not comfort

Now comes a three-week international break that will define how United approach the next phase of the season. It buys time for the medical staff, but also raises fresh dilemmas.

It is not yet clear whether Sesko will pull out of Slovenia duty as his shin is reassessed. Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo are also doubts for England, both carrying fitness concerns that need careful handling rather than quick fixes.

When the league restarts, there will be no gentle reintroduction. United host Tottenham on 10 October, then head straight into a high-stakes Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid.

Carrick needs bodies back. He needs sharpness. Above all, he needs Sesko’s issue to be a scare, not a season-shaping story.