Sesko’s Injury: A Chance for United’s Young Talent

Benjamin Sesko, who had only recently been introduced in the second half of the match, suffered a collapse after sustaining a heavy challenge and immediately signaled for medical assistance. With all substitutions already utilized, Manchester United was compelled to finish the match with ten players.

In the aftermath, head coach Ruben Amorim expressed his concern regarding Sesko’s injury, stating, “I am more worried about the knee injury; we are uncertain about its severity. We need Ben to be a stronger part of the team. I have no specific information, but with knee injuries, there is always uncertainty.”

Having withdrawn from Slovenia’s crucial World Cup qualification matches against Kosovo and Sweden, Sesko returned to Carrington for an exhaustive medical assessment. Club doctors conducted comprehensive scans to ascertain the extent of the injury, resulting in a collective sigh of relief as no major ligament damage was detected.

He will remain in Manchester to initiate focused rehabilitation while the medical team formulates a long-term recovery plan. As per reports from Sky Sports, Sesko is anticipated to be out for “at most a month,” which is a relatively optimistic outcome compared to initial concerns about his season being jeopardized.

Sesko’s temporary absence leaves United facing a shortage of strikers. Currently, Joshua Zirkzee is the only natural centre-forward available to Amorim, prompting considerations for tactical adjustments or emergency replacements. Nevertheless, some believe United should not panic or seek temporary market solutions. Former United forward Dwight Yorke, speaking to Snabbare, encouraged Amorim to cultivate talent from within rather than resorting to stopgap signings. He cautioned against the club’s history of acquiring short-term forwards who ultimately underperform, urging a more strategic approach.

“I believe Amorim should invest in young players and provide opportunities for emerging talent if Sesko is unavailable,” Yorke remarked. “If they opt for a makeshift cover, history shows that such decisions have not yielded positive results for United. It is crucial for a club of this stature to avoid bringing in players who do not align with the team’s long-term vision. If they are considering a new signing, it should be someone of significant caliber, akin to Liverpool’s approach, rather than settling for mediocrity.”

Yorke specifically mentioned 18-year-old Chido Obi, a striker who joined from Arsenal in 2024 and made seven appearances in last season’s Premier League before returning to the under-23 squad this season.

“What about Chido Obi? While the first-team roster is substantial, it is essential to integrate young players into the squad for unforeseen circumstances like this. During my time at United, we trained alongside youngsters, allowing them game time to prepare them for the first team. This is critical for their development,” he noted.

“I advocate for Obi to be given a chance if Sesko is out. If a player is deemed good enough for United, they deserve an opportunity. The club has a historical precedent of allowing young talents to rise to the occasion, and this must continue. If they pursue a temporary fix instead of nurturing their youth, United risks regressing, which is a path best avoided.”

Manchester United is set to resume Premier League action on November 24 against Everton, a match Sesko will miss as he continues his rehabilitation. If his recovery stays on track, he may aim for a return in the December 21 match against Aston Villa or the Boxing Day fixture against Newcastle at Old Trafford.