Man United fear Benjamin Sesko could be out until the new year, according to the latest injury news. The striker has missed five weeks, and United still have no clear return date. Manchester United hope to learn more before the end of this week.
Benjamin Sesko faces a longer spell on the sidelines
As reported by The Sun, Sesko has missed the last five weeks because of a fresh shin problem. It is linked to the trouble that kept him out for months, but it is not exactly the same. The 23-year-old has gone through detailed tests at the club’s Carrington base. United fear he could miss up to four months, but they hope he will return before February. Even so, United are preparing for a long spell without the forward they signed for £73.62m last year.
Head coach Michael Carrick has said United hope to share a clearer timeline on the injury soon. He wants “a clear picture” by the end of the week and says he is not stalling. Some work is still going on behind the scenes, so there is no firm answer yet. United host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday, and Carrick may update fans on Sesko then. Without a return date, United cannot plan their transfer business properly.
Sesko’s 2026/27 stats for Man United so far, as per FOTMOB:
Competition Matches Started Minutes played Goals Assists
Premier League 4 0 76 1 0
EFL Cup 1 1 66 0 0
Champions League 1 1 64 1 0
Why United may need a striker in January
A long absence could push United to look for a new forward when the window reopens in January. They added no cover for the centre forward role this summer because Joshua Zirkzee was still at the club. Everton made a late enquiry for him on deadline day, but United turned it down to protect squad numbers. Zirkzee has started only once in 27 games under Carrick, so he is well down the order. Rasmus Hojlund and Zirkzee cost United £108.5m across two summers. Napoli have since signed Hojlund permanently for £38m after his loan, and United hope to sell Zirkzee next year.
Matheus Cunha began the season as the main central option, but Bryan Mbeumo has since taken over that role. Mbeumo shares the team lead with four goals this campaign. He also scored five times through the middle under Carrick last season, so he knows the role. That helps, but a specialist number nine would give United a different threat in the box. Few teams in English football can lose their first-choice striker for months without feeling it.
Manchester United - Man Utd
Manchester United - Man Utd
What the absence means for United’s season
Benjamin Sesko scored 12 goals in all competitions during his first season at Old Trafford. His goals won United 14 Premier League points, a solid return for one striker. Losing a scorer of that quality for months would hurt any team. United also play in the Champions League this season, so the fixture list will be crowded.
For now, United must wait for the medical update before deciding their next move. If the news is bad, the transfer window becomes a key moment for the club. Mbeumo’s move into the middle may cost the team width on the right if it lasts for months. A natural striker would let him return to that side and restore the balance. The next few days should show how long Sesko will be out.
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