Manchester United boss Michael Carrick has been dealt another headache after Benjamin Sesko was ruled out until January with a shin injury, according to The Athletic.

Sesko last played on September 16 when he started the Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton. A week later United released a statement saying: “Benjamin will undergo tests this week before defining his individual recovery plan.”

United have made a dreadful start to the season, with Carrick still in charge despite immense pressure coming his way. After public rifts with both captain Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez, this will add to his issues.

The Slovenia has come off the bench to feature in United’s first four Premier League games of the season, starting only once in the Champions League against Sabah as well as the cup outing versus Brighton.

Athletic report: Sesko played through pain

The report claims the issue first developed last season, when the 23-year-old continued playing during the final two months of the campaign despite feeling discomfort.

United opted to rest the £74million striker rather than send him for surgery, causing him to miss pre-season.

The same issue has now occured, so the Red Devils are opting to rest him until the new year in the hope that he will avoid a setback when he eventually returns.

Sesko was a regular presence at Carrington throughout June and pushed to return in August, coming off the bench in United’s opening game against Hull City.

Sesko injuries since Man Utd move

Injuries have rarely been a problem throughout his career, making his current spell on the sidelines particularly unusual. In just 14 months at United, Sesko has missed more than twice as many days through injury as he did during his entire two-year spell at RB Leipzig.

The striker takes a meticulous approach to his fitness, practising yoga daily and having access to a private gym, ice bath, swimming pool and sauna at home.

Sesko scored 12 goals for United last season and has made a promising start to the current campaign, finding the net twice in six appearances.

Manchester United upcoming fixtures: The games Sesko could miss

• Premier League

  Chelsea CHE

  12:30 2026-10-31

  Manchester United MUN

• UEFA Champions League

  Manchester United MUN

  20:00 2026-11-03

  AS Roma ROM

• Premier League

  Manchester United MUN

  15:00 2026-11-07

  Aston Villa AST

• Premier League

  Liverpool LIV

  15:00 2026-11-21

  Manchester United MUN

• UEFA Champions League

  Sporting CP SPO

  20:00 2026-11-25

  Manchester United MUN

• Premier League

  Manchester United MUN

  15:00 2026-11-28

  Brentford BRE

• Premier League

  Newcastle NEW

  20:00 2026-12-02

  Manchester United MUN

• Premier League

  Manchester United MUN

  15:00 2026-12-05

  Coventry COV

• UEFA Champions League

  Manchester United MUN

  20:00 2026-12-08

  RB Leipzig LEI

• Premier League

  Crystal Palace CRY

  15:00 2026-12-12

  Manchester United MUN

• Premier League

  Arsenal ARS

  15:00 2026-12-19

  Manchester United MUN

• Premier League

  Manchester United MUN

  15:00 2026-12-26

  Nottingham Forest NOT

• Premier League

  Manchester United MUN

  20:00 2026-12-30

  Sunderland SUN

• Premier League

  Brighton BRI

  15:00 2027-01-02

  Manchester United MUN

• Premier League

  Manchester United MUN

  20:00 2027-01-06

  Newcastle NEW

• Premier League

  Aston Villa AST

  15:00 2027-01-16

  Manchester United MUN

• UEFA Champions League

  Manchester United MUN

  20:00 2027-01-20

  Bayern München BAY

• Premier League

  Manchester United MUN

  15:00 2027-01-23

  Liverpool LIV

• UEFA Champions League

  Villarreal VIL

  20:00 2027-01-27

  Manchester United MUN

• Premier League

  Brentford BRE

  15:00 2027-01-30

  Manchester United MUN