Benjamin Sesko expected to miss rest of year with shin injury

Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko is expected to remain unavailable until at least January because of a shin injury, BBC Sport reported on Wednesday. The extended absence leaves manager Michael Carrick without his only specialist centre-forward as United seek to recover from a difficult start to the season in domestic and European competition.

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Sesko, 23, has not played for United since the Carabao Cup defeat by Brighton on 16 September, when he came off in the 66th minute. According to the BBC, several tests were needed to establish the nature of the problem. Sources cited by the broadcaster described it as an impact injury rather than shin splints, and said it was not identical to the original complaint.

The Slovenia international had already missed the entire pre-season because of a shin problem. The complaint also affected him last season and flared up against Liverpool in May, ruling him out of United's final three Premier League fixtures. His latest setback follows a brief return to action in which he scored against Everton in the league and Sabah FK in the Champions League.

United signed Sesko from RB Leipzig in August 2025 in a deal worth £73.7m. He has since registered 14 goals and one assist across 38 appearances in all competitions. Despite missing eight matches last season, he finished level with Bryan Mbeumo as United's leading Premier League scorer, with 11 goals each, underlining the contribution now missing from Carrick's attacking options.

The expected recovery period rules Sesko out of league meetings with Liverpool and Arsenal, along with at least three Champions League matches, the BBC reported. January is the earliest point indicated by that assessment, rather than a confirmed date for his return. Whether United respond by seeking another forward during the January transfer window remains uncertain.

United sit 16th in the Premier League, with their sole league victory coming against Ipswich on 30 August. They have not won in any competition since 10 September. A 4-1 Champions League loss to Como was followed by Sunday's 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth. Carrick is due to lead the team against Chelsea on Saturday, with Sesko's absence continuing to restrict his options up front.