Manchester United manager Michael Carrick faces a fresh challenge after striker Benjamin Sesko was sidelined until January due to a shin injury, as reported by 101 Great Goals based on information from The Athletic.
Injury Background and Recovery Plan
Sesko last featured on September 16 when he started in the Carabao Cup defeat against Brighton. One week later, the club issued a statement indicating that the player would undergo tests to determine an individual recovery plan. As reported by 101 Great Goals, the Athletic revealed that the 23-year-old forward originally developed the shin problem last season, playing through discomfort during the final two months of the campaign.
Rather than opting for surgery, Manchester United chose to rest their £74 million striker, which resulted in him missing pre-season preparations. With the same problem recurring, the club has decided to rest him until the new year in hopes of preventing any setbacks upon his eventual return. Sesko spent June working at Carrington and pushed for an early comeback in August, appearing as a substitute in the opening match against Hull City.
The Slovenia international has yet to make a start in the Premier League this season, appearing off the bench in the first four league matches. He has started only once in the Champions League against Sabah in addition to his Carabao Cup outing.
Fitness Routine and Upcoming Fixtures
Injuries have been uncommon throughout the forward’s career, making his current absence unusual. During his 14 months at Old Trafford, Sesko has missed more than twice as many days through injury compared to his entire two-year spell at RB Leipzig. He maintains a rigorous fitness regime, practicing yoga daily and utilizing private facilities at home including a gym, ice bath, swimming pool, and sauna. After scoring 12 goals last season, he netted twice in six appearances at the start of the current campaign.
The injury rules the striker out for a demanding schedule of upcoming fixtures across the Premier League and UEFA Champions League. The matches span from an away clash against Chelsea on October 31, through fixtures against clubs such as Liverpool, Arsenal, and AS Roma, concluding around the turn of the year ahead of potential matches in January against Brighton, Newcastle United, and Bayern München.
