(Photo via Stick to United)
Wayne Rooney has seemingly accused Benjamin Sesko of feigning injury to miss out on recent action.
The Manchester United forward was ruled out of Sunday’s clash with Fulham due to a re-aggravation of the shin problem that ended his maiden campaign prematurely.
Benjamin Sesko: The state of play
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 13: Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 13, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
As a result, Sesko has also spoken out to confirm that he will not be joining up with the Slovenia squad for their fixtures over the break, having last played for his nation 11 months ago.
United are said to have ordered scans on the 23-year-old’s injury in order to determine the severity this time around, with Michael Carrick revealing that he had pulled up with some pain after featuring for 66 minutes against Brighton and Hove Albion a week ago.
Michael Carrick explains why Benjamin Sesko isn't in the Manchester United squad to face Fulham and gives an update on Carlos Baleba 🔊 pic.twitter.com/xqiaqCmd0h — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 20, 2026
Yet, whether Sesko should’ve actually been dropped at Craven Cottage has bizarrely become a topic of controversy – at least in the eyes of former players.
Paul Schoes weighed in on the situation on The Good, The Bad & The Football, saying: “If it (your shin) isn’t broken, just wear your shinpads.”
Nicky Butt chimed in: “You’re a player – you either break your shin or you play!”
🚨❤️ Leeds defender Jaka Bijol BACKS Benjamin Sesko over comments from Scholes and Butt: Paul Scholes: “If Sesko’s shin isn’t broken, just wear your shinpads.” Nick Butt added: ‘You’re a player, you either break your shin or you play.’ 🗣️ Jaka Bijol: “I hope and believe that… pic.twitter.com/nXg17cnIUj — UtdTruthful (@Utdtruthful) September 22, 2026
What did Rooney have to say about Sesko?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 06: Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Everton and Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Rooney is the latest ex-Red to question the severity of Sesko’s setback, as he said on Stick to United: “Shin? Has he broken it? You can hurt your shin, you can take tackles… I bet he’s wearing them little stupid shinpads as well.
“If you’re trying to play No.9 and you’ve got a must-win game and you’ve got a sore shin and you’re not playing, that’s a big part of the problem.
Rooney later added: “Unless you physically can’t play, you play when you’re injured. I remember before games we used to get injections and the doctor used to put them in your a*se.”
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