Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko is facing a lengthy period on the sidelines because of an ongoing shin injury, head coach Michael Carrick has confirmed.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Carrick said the club was still working through the healing process and could not yet say exactly how long the 23-year-old Slovenia international would be out. Reports this week said Sesko could be sidelined until at least January, but that timeframe comes from reports only and was not given by Carrick himself.

A season disrupted from the start

Sesko has not played since United's Carabao Cup defeat by Brighton on 16 September, and he has missed the team's last six matches in all competitions. He has played six times this season, scoring twice.

The shin problem also cost him the end of the 2025-26 campaign and the whole of pre-season. Carrick said the club had to go through a healing process to see how the injury would react before deciding on the next step, adding: "Unfortunately, Ben looks like he's going to be out for a period of time. We're still not clear of exactly how long, but it's going to be for a longer period of time."

Another blow for struggling United

Sesko's absence is a further setback for a United side with just two wins in 12 matches in all competitions, sitting 16th in the Premier League. The striker, signed from RB Leipzig in August 2025, finished joint-top of United's Premier League scoring last season with 11 goals.

United visit Chelsea on Saturday, 31 October, looking for their first win since 10 September, and will now have to manage without their only out-and-out centre-forward for the foreseeable future. Sources: USA Today and Sports Mole.