Sesko Absence Deepens Manchester United’s Early-Season Struggles

Benjamin Sesko was nowhere to be seen at Craven Cottage on Sunday, and for Manchester United, his absence felt louder than any noise inside the old ground.

The Slovenian striker, who started the chaotic 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton in midweek, was left out of the squad entirely after feeling discomfort in the aftermath of that game. The pain was familiar – and that is the real concern.

A worrying repeat

This latest problem is a recurrence of the shin injury that already ripped a chunk out of Sesko’s year. The 23-year-old missed more than two months with the initial issue, sitting out United’s final three matches of last season and losing his entire pre-season in the process.

He only eased his way back with a substitute appearance at Hull on the opening weekend. Six appearances in all competitions later, the brakes are on again.

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

“We're not sure with Ben yet,” he 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 timeline. No guarantees. Just another key attacker parked in the treatment room as United stumble through the opening stretch of their league campaign.

Stuttering start, shrinking options

The 1-1 draw at Fulham leaves United with just one win from their first five Premier League matches. For a side already short of fluency in the final third, losing a focal point like Sesko is a heavy blow.

Carrick has been trying to build rhythm with a squad that has rarely felt whole. Sesko’s stop-start involvement only adds to the sense of a season that hasn’t quite begun to run.

Yet amid the frustration, there were glimmers of relief at Craven Cottage.

Shaw back, Baleba steps into view

Luke Shaw returned to the starting XI, a sight Carrick has been waiting on for weeks. His presence alone changes the balance of United’s build-up, offering width, control and experience on the left.

On the bench, £70 million summer signing Carlos Baleba was finally included in a matchday squad after his own ankle problem. He didn’t get on the pitch, but simply having him in the group felt like a small step forward.

“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, fully aware that availability has become almost as valuable as form.

Injuries that won’t clear

The list of concerns, though, remains stubbornly long.

• Matthijs de Ligt travelled with the team to London but was not fit enough to make the matchday squad.
• Amad Diallo is still waiting for his first appearance of the season.
• Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo are carrying issues of their own and are doubts for England’s upcoming camp.

Over it all hangs the question of Sesko’s international involvement. Slovenia will want their main striker. United’s medical staff, given the history of this injury, may have other ideas. For now, it is “uncertain” whether he will withdraw from duty.

Three weeks to find answers

The international break arrives at a useful time for United, even if it feels early in the campaign to be talking about damage limitation. Three weeks without domestic football offers Carrick and his staff a precious window to assess, scan, and plan.

They need it.

Because once the break ends, the schedule bites hard.

Tottenham come to Old Trafford on 10 October, a test of United’s nerve and ambition against a side that will not shy away from attacking. Then comes a trip to Spain and a high-stakes Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid, where half-fit players and half-baked plans tend to be ruthlessly exposed.

By then, United will know more about Sesko’s shin, Shaw’s resilience, Baleba’s readiness and Rashford’s condition. The question is simple, and unforgiving: when the season truly starts to accelerate, will Carrick finally have a squad capable of keeping pace?