Benjamin Sesko expected to miss Manchester United games until January

Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko is expected to be out until at least January with a shin injury, leaving the club without their only orthodox number nine for a run of important fixtures.

The 23-year-old has not played since being substituted in United’s 2-1 defeat by Brighton in the Carabao Cup on 16 September. He underwent several tests to identify the problem. The BBC reports that sources say it is an impact injury, rather than shin splints.

Sesko missed all of pre-season with the complaint. It also troubled him last season and flared up against Liverpool in May, ruling him out of United’s final three Premier League matches.

Since joining from RB Leipzig for £73.7m in August 2025, he has made 38 appearances in all competitions, scoring 14 goals and providing one assist. He scored twice this season, against Everton in the Premier League and Sabah FK in the Champions League.

His absence is set to include Premier League games against Liverpool and Arsenal, as well as at least three Champions League matches. Whether it will prompt United to look for another forward in the January transfer window remains to be seen.