Manchester United’s Sesko setback leaves Carrick short of attacking options

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick faces another setback with Benjamin Sesko expected to remain unavailable until at least January because of injury.

The 23-year-old has been dealing with the problem since the start of the season, prompting the club to manage his playing time carefully while he worked towards regaining full fitness. However, those efforts now appear to have been unsuccessful.

Sesko has not played for Manchester United since their 16 September defeat by Brighton in the Carabao Cup. He was substituted in the 66th minute of that match.

The forward also missed pre-season because of the same complaint, which affected him last season before resurfacing against Liverpool in May. That recurrence ruled him out of Manchester United’s final three Premier League fixtures of the campaign.

According to the Daily Mail, Sesko is expected to be sidelined until the new year. His absence leaves Carrick without one of his main strikers during a difficult run of form for the club.

Right-winger Bryan Mbeumo has been used as a number nine in Sesko’s absence and has started Manchester United’s past five matches in all competitions in that position. Carrick has lost confidence in Joshua Zirkzee, the Netherlands forward, who has consequently been moved down the attacking pecking order.

Sesko joined Manchester United from RB Leipzig for a fee of £73.7m in August 2025. Since arriving, he has made 38 appearances in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and providing one assist.

His expected lay-off would rule him out of a series of important Premier League games, including meetings with Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal. He is also set to miss at least three Champions League matches.

Manchester United are currently 16th in the Premier League, one point above the relegation zone. That position has added to the pressure on Carrick, whose team have won only once in eight league rounds this season.

Carrick’s position remains under threat because of the club’s poor results at the start of the campaign. The injury to Sesko further limits his choices as he attempts to improve Manchester United’s form.

The manager is also dealing with tension involving captain Bruno Fernandes. Fernandes publicly criticised Carrick in front of the media after Manchester United’s 4-1 defeat by Como in the Champions League, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the manager.