Manchester United Faces Injury Crisis as Benjamin Sesko Withdraws from Slovenia Duty

Manchester United’s growing injury list claimed another name on Monday, as Benjamin Sesko withdrew from Slovenia duty to deepen the sense of unease at Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old striker missed United’s 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday with a shin problem picked up in last week’s Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton. What initially looked like a knock has now ruled him out of a key international window.

Sesko has pulled out of Slovenia’s upcoming Nations League double-header against Scotland, as well as fixtures against North Macedonia and Switzerland. For a player still bedding into life at United and eager for rhythm, the timing could hardly be worse.

"Manchester United can confirm that Benjamin Sesko has withdrawn from the Slovenia squad ahead of the upcoming three-week international break," the club said in a statement. "Benjamin will undergo tests this week before defining his individual recovery plan."

The tests will shape not just his return date, but also United’s attacking options heading into a critical stretch of the season.

Sesko was the fourth United player to pull out of international duty on Monday alone. The sense of a club creaking under the strain of early-season exertions grew stronger with each update.

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow also left the Wales camp, despite being fit enough to take a place on the bench at Craven Cottage. His withdrawal capped a bruising day for Craig Bellamy’s side, who also lost Leeds winger Harry Wilson to a quad injury and Wrexham forward Nathan Broadhead to fitness issues.

For United, the list is starting to feel uncomfortably long.

Sesko and Darlow now join Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo on the casualty sheet for this international break. Both England players were among a five-man group to withdraw from Gareth Southgate’s squad.

Michael Carrick confirmed after the Fulham game that Rashford had picked up what he called an "issue" at Craven Cottage. The forward was substituted, appearing to struggle with his hip – the same area that troubled him over the summer.

Mainoo, who travelled to the World Cup under Thomas Tuchel but did not play a single minute, also failed to finish the draw at Fulham. The midfielder was taken off in the closing stages, adding another concern for United’s medical staff to assess.

One international break was supposed to bring breathing space. Instead, for Manchester United, it has opened up a fresh set of questions about how much more this squad can absorb.