Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko is set to be ruled out until at least January with a shin injury.

The 23-year-old was struggling with the issue at the beginning of the season and saw his game time limited as the club worked to ensure a full comeback.

He has not featured for the club since their defeat by Brighton in the Carabao Cup on 16 September, when he was substituted in the 66th minute.

But the issue has flared up again and Sesko now looks set to be out until the new year, in what represents a major blow for United amid a difficult run of form.

Since joining United from RB Leipzig in a deal worth £73.7m in August 2025, Sesko has made 38 appearances in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and recording one assist.

He has scored once in his six appearances in all competitions this season, against Everton in the Premier League.

He will now miss crucial Premier League games, including meetings with Liverpool and Arsenal, and at least three matches in the Champions League.

United are currently languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, one point clear of the relegation zone.

They face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, with Carrick having held clear-the-air talks on Wednesday with captain Bruno Fernandes following the United captain's criticism of Carrick's tactics after their defeat against Como.

United were beaten 4-1 in the Champions League last Wednesday and Fernandes criticised the decision not to press man-to-man against the Italian side, saying that this allowed their opponents to grow in confidence.

Asked whether Carrick had got things wrong tactically, the 32-year-old midfielder said: ‘That’s on the manager and staff to see it, not me.’

Carrick dropped Fernandes to the bench against Bournemouth and then left him stewing there while he brought on four other substitutes including teenager Shea Lacey.

Afterwards, Fernandes was among the United players targeted for abuse by fans as they made a public show of support for Carrick and then turned on the team. 

The Portugal midfielder appeared to respond with a veiled dig at Carrick on Sunday night when he liked a cryptic Instagram post that read: ‘Never push a loyal person to the point where they no longer care.’

With Fernandes set to return to the lineup at Stamford Bridge, there was more good news for United when Kobbie Mainoo resumed training at Carrington on Wednesday.