Star striker Benjamin Sesko will be sidelined ‘for a few weeks’ because of a knee injury sustained before the international break, manager Ruben Amorim confirmed on Friday.
The forward, who joined United from RB Leipzig for £74 million ($97 million) in August, got injured during the 2-2 draw at Tottenham on November 8 and missed Slovenia’s World Cup qualifiers.
Amorim initially expressed greater concern because it involved a knee, but he is now confident the 22-year-old has avoided a lengthy absence.
“He will be out for a few weeks; I don’t know exactly how long, but it is not that serious,” Amorim said at his pre-match press conference for Monday’s game against Everton.
“We need to be cautious with him. He is recovering and feeling better. So,
I expect to have Ben (Sesko) back in a few weeks.”
Amorim anticipates Sesko’s return around the same time that Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo, Ivory Coast international Amad Diallo, and Morocco’s Noussair Mazraoui will depart for the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in Morocco on December 21.
Discussions are ongoing about their release dates.
“We are trying our best to keep the players a bit longer, but it’s not entirely in our control,” Amorim said.
“We must respect that, but we will do everything to protect the club, the player, and the national team.”
When asked about approaching the anniversary of his first game as United manager against Ipswich on November 24 last year, Amorim reflected on the challenges.
“From the start, I knew we would face some struggles,” he said. “But it’s the best league in the world and maybe the best club. It’s a big job that requires a lot of effort.”
Amorim noted that United are showing progress after a difficult 2024/25 season, in which they finished 15th in the Premier League.
“We endured a lot last year, so we have to consider that and approach each game with urgency,” he said.
“But if you ask me, I expect a team with more control, dominance, better football, and most importantly, more competitiveness in every aspect.”
United will also be without Harry Maguire against Everton after the defender sustained an injury in the Spurs draw.
Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo might be available to face David Moyes’s side, and Lisandro Martinez is nearing a return after participating in the Argentina camp during the break.
United are seventh in the Premier League after an unbeaten run of five matches, although they have drawn their last two, against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.
(With AFP Inputs)
