Manchester United’s first game of the pre-season had a lot of World Cup-enforced absences, but the story of Benjamin Sesko is different.
As Joshua Zirkzee toiled up front to no effect in that 0-1 loss to Wrexham, Man Utd fans could be forgiven for thinking that Benjamin Sesko is sorely missed.
Sesko’s Slovenia didn’t qualify for the World Cup, so he should be, in theory, available for the start of the pre-season.
Here’s everything you need to know, including Benjamin Sesko’s injury update with the return timeline and the way forward.
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Benjamin Sesko injury update
Sesko missed the final three games of the last season due to injury, but with a 55-day gap between the last game of the previous season and the friendly against Wrexham, his return was a no-brainer.
As it turns out, Sesko isn’t even training with the squad, let alone playing any part in games.
Sesko’s injury update is that of a shin splint issue, something he played through until that Liverpool game at Old Trafford last season.
He scored in that 3-2 win, but one collision with the advertising board in the first half saw him get subbed off at half-time.
Carrick said after the game that his injury had flared up, and he needed rest to recuperate. Nobody thought that rest would stretch to more than two months.
Sesko return timeline and way forward
Shin splints generally take 1-3 weeks to heal, with moderate cases taking 3-6 weeks. Since Sesko’s absence has already stretched beyond two months, care is needed.
What is your message to Benjamin Sesko after his impressive debut season for United?⚽️🔥
12 goals in all competitions in 19 starts is a brilliant record⚡️
In all likelihood, the stress-based reaction to the injury has become chronic, which means only complete rest is the solution.
The fact that he played through that injury last season has probably messed up his recovery timeline, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him miss at least two more games.
It can take up to three months for a stress-based reaction to heal, and United won’t risk it now with the first-choice striker.
Expect to see Sesko back in the first week of August if the details so far are any indication on the severity of his injury.
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