Manchester United expect Benjamin Sesko to miss Slovenia’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers but are cautiously optimistic the injury is not as severe as initially feared.
The 22-year-old striker went off after 30 minutes of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, limping out of the stadium after a knee challenge from Micky van de Ven. Photographs showed Sesko leaving without crutches, although he was clearly uncomfortable on the move. United have said further scans and assessments at their Carrington training base will determine the full extent of the problem, but privately club staff are trying to calm suggestions the forward faces a long-term layoff.
Head coach Ruben Amorim stressed the unpredictable nature of knee injuries and that Sesko will need detailed evaluation; he also warned that any significant findings could influence United’s plans in January. The absence is timed badly for United, who were already bracing for the imminent Africa Cup of Nations departures of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui.
Sesko will miss Slovenia’s pivotal fixtures against Kosovo and Sweden, matches his country need to have a realistic shot at a World Cup play-off place.
Also travelling with the group this week is Lisandro Martinez, who has been cleared to link up with Argentina at their European training base ahead of a friendly with Angola. Martinez will not be used in that match as United continue a cautious reintegration after his major knee surgery in February. He has resumed training with Amorim’s squad but was not included in the matchday lineup, reflecting concerns about his history of long-term injuries since joining from Ajax in 2022. United expect Martinez to benefit from the short trip and will send a member of their performance team to monitor and support him while he is away.
