Benjamin Sesko Withdraws from Slovenia Squad Amid Manchester United Injury Concerns

Benjamin Sesko has pulled out of Slovenia’s Nations League squad as Manchester United’s injury worries deepen and their season stutters.

The 23-year-old striker missed Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham with a shin problem picked up in last week’s League Cup defeat to Brighton and will now sit out Slovenia’s entire upcoming schedule. That means no involvement in two matches against Scotland, nor in games against North Macedonia and Switzerland during a three-week international window.

United confirmed the news in a statement on Monday, underlining the uncertainty over how long Sesko will be sidelined.

“Manchester United can confirm that Benjamin Sesko has withdrawn from the Slovenia squad ahead of the upcoming three-week international break,” the club said. “Benjamin will undergo tests this week before defining his individual recovery plan.”

For Michael Carrick, it is another unwanted complication. Sesko has scored two goals for United this season and, while he is still settling into life at Old Trafford, his athleticism and direct running have already given the side a different dimension in attack. Losing him now strips away one of the few bright sparks in a faltering start.

The setback comes on a day when United’s treatment room and international withdrawal list both grew longer. Sesko became the fourth United player to pull out of national-team duty on Monday. Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo have already withdrawn from England’s squad, while Karl Darlow has left the Wales camp.

It all feeds into a broader picture of a team stuck in first gear. United sit a modest 12th in the Premier League table, with only five points from their opening five games. Performances have been patchy, results underwhelming, and now the squad is thinning just as the fixtures begin to pile up.

Carrick at least has time on the training ground during the break, but he will have to work without several key figures and with no clear timeline yet on Sesko’s return.

United’s next test is at Old Trafford on October 10, at home to bottom side Tottenham. On paper, it looks like a chance to reset. In reality, with injuries mounting and confidence fragile, it may say far more about where this United project is really heading.