Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko will miss Slovenia’s crucial World Cup qualifiers, but club officials do not believe he suffered a major problem in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
United have also allowed Lisandro Martinez to join Argentina at their European base ahead of a friendly with Angola, though the 27-year-old will not play in the match.
Sesko lasted just 30 minutes before limping off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after jarring his knee in a challenge from Micky van de Ven. The £73.7m forward was pictured leaving the ground without crutches but was not moving freely.
When asked if the issue was serious, head coach Ruben Amorim warned that with knee injuries “you never know” and said Sesko would need assessment, noting it could affect January transfer plans.
The incident raised concerns of a longer absence, potentially coinciding with the Africa Cup of Nations departures of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui next month. However, while United will confirm the full extent of Sesko’s injury only after further tests at their Carrington training ground, the club are privately trying to allay fears that the 22-year-old faces months out.
Sesko will miss Slovenia’s pivotal matches against Kosovo and Sweden, which they must win to have any realistic chance of securing a World Cup play-off place.
Martinez has returned to training with Amorim’s squad and is nearing a comeback after major knee surgery in February. Amorim has not yet included him in the matchday squad, preferring a cautious approach for a player who has suffered several long-term injuries since joining from Ajax in 2022.
United believe Martinez will benefit from linking up with Argentina, especially as the trip does not involve extensive travel. A member of United’s performance team is expected to accompany Martinez during his time away.
