Manchester United have received an encouraging injury update ahead of the new Premier League season.
According to journalist Samuel Luckhurst, Benjamin Sesko is on schedule to return from a shin injury before the new season starts.
His recovery is going to plan and he has a chance of being involved against Atletico Madrid in Stockholm on Saturday.
The Slovenian striker missed the first two friendly games of the summer with Joshua Zirkzee starting in the number nine position.
Sesko arrived at Old Trafford from RB Leipzig last summer in a deal worth an initial £65 million.
His slow start prompted many pundits to prematurely question whether United had made an expensive mistake.
Instead of fading away, the young striker exploded into form during the second half of the campaign and finished as United’s joint-leading scorer.
The 23-year-old registered 11 Premier League goals and one assist, producing an impressive return in his debut season in English football.
He featured in 30 league matches, although he started only 17 because of tactical decisions and recurring fitness concerns.
Sesko aggravated his shin injury after Ibrahima Konate pushed him into the advertising hoardings behind the goal during the 3-2 league win over Liverpool in May.
That incident ruled him out of the final three matches of the campaign, but he now appears on course to make his comeback against Atletico Madrid.
His return would provide a massive boost for manager Michael Carrick, who has already shown a clear understanding of how to maximise the striker’s strengths.
Carrick frequently used Sesko as an impact substitute last season, and the pair quickly developed an encouraging working relationship.
Zirkzee is expected to depart this summer, leaving Sesko as the only designated striker at United.
Highly rated youngsters Chido Obi and Ethan Wheatley possess enormous potential, but both remain too inexperienced to shoulder consistent first-team responsibility.
Following the Atletico Madrid clash, United will face Paris Saint-Germain, Leeds United and AC Milan, giving Sesko valuable opportunities to rebuild his rhythm before the Premier League opener.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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