Manchester United Faces Injury Crisis with Benjamin Sesko's Withdrawal

Manchester United’s injury list grew longer on Monday, with Benjamin Sesko the latest to be pulled out of international duty as a bruising 24 hours caught up with the club.

The 23-year-old striker, who missed Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham, has withdrawn from the Slovenia squad after suffering a shin problem in last week’s Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton. What initially looked like a knock has now ruled him out of a key block of international fixtures.

Sesko had been due to spearhead Slovenia’s attack in two Nations League clashes with Scotland, as well as games against North Macedonia and Switzerland. Instead, he will stay in Manchester.

“Manchester United can confirm that Benjamin Sesko has withdrawn from the Slovenia squad ahead of the upcoming three-week international break,” the club said in a statement.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 concern is obvious. United are already juggling fitness issues across the squad, and Sesko’s absence adds another question mark at the top end of the pitch.

He was not alone in stepping away from international duty.

On the same day, goalkeeper Karl Darlow also pulled out of the Wales camp. He had been on the bench at Craven Cottage but will now return to his club, compounding a difficult spell for Craig Bellamy’s side. Wales have lost three players in quick succession: Darlow, Leeds winger Harry Wilson, who has a quad injury, and Wrexham striker Nathan Broadhead, who is also sidelined.

For United, Sesko and Darlow join Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo on a growing casualty list at the start of this international break.

Rashford was one of five players to withdraw from the England squad after picking up what Michael Carrick described as an “issue” during the Fulham draw. The forward was substituted after appearing to struggle with his hip, a problem that had already troubled him over the summer.

Mainoo, who went to the World Cup under Thomas Tuchel but did not play a minute, also failed to see out the game at Craven Cottage. The midfielder was taken off in the closing stages, adding another layer of anxiety for both club and country.

Four withdrawals in a day. Key players nursing knocks. An international break that was supposed to offer reset and recovery has instead opened with fresh doubts.

United now wait on scans, test results and medical bulletins. The next few days will tell whether this is a minor bump in the season, or the start of a deeper problem that could shape the months ahead.