Manchester United forward Benjamin Sesko will be sidelined for “a few weeks” after sustaining a knee injury before the international break, manager Ruben Amorim confirmed on Friday.
Sesko, who joined United from RB Leipzig for £74 million ($97 million) in August, picked up the injury during the 2-2 draw with Tottenham on November 8, ruling him out of Slovenia’s World Cup qualifiers.
Amorim admitted he was initially “more concerned” because the issue involved Sesko’s knee, but he is now confident the 22-year-old will not face a long spell on the sidelines.
“He’s going to be out for a few weeks, I’m not sure exactly how long, but it’s not serious,” Amorim said ahead of Monday’s clash with Everton. “We have to be careful with him. He’s recovering well and feeling better, so I expect to have Ben back in a few weeks.”
The United boss added that Sesko’s return could coincide with the departure of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui for the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Morocco on December 21. Discussions are ongoing about when those players will be released.
“We’re trying to keep the players a little longer, but it’s not entirely in our hands,” Amorim said. “We must respect the rules while protecting the club, the players, and the national teams.”
Reflecting on the one-year anniversary of his first match in charge—against Ipswich on November 24 last year—Amorim said he immediately knew the challenge ahead.
“It’s the best league in the world, maybe the best club in the world, but it’s a massive job that requires a lot of work,” he noted.
Amorim believes United are making progress after a difficult 2024/25 campaign in which they finished 15th.
“We suffered a lot last season, so we have to approach every game with maximum focus,” he said. “I expect a team with more control, more dominance, and better football—above all, a team that competes at every level.”
United will also be without Harry Maguire against Everton after the defender was injured in the Spurs match. However, Kobbie Mainoo could return, and Lisandro Martinez is edging closer to full fitness after joining the Argentina camp during the break.
United currently sit seventh in the Premier League, unbeaten in five matches, though they have drawn their last two against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.
