Benjamin Sesko Ruled Out of Manchester United’s Tottenham Clash
Manchester United will be without Benjamin Sesko for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Tottenham at Old Trafford, with Michael Carrick unable to put a date on the striker’s return from another shin problem.
The 23-year-old missed United’s 1-1 draw at Fulham before the international break and subsequently pulled out of Slovenia duty. His latest setback affects a similar area to the injury that ruled him out for three months during the summer, although Carrick stressed that it is not an identical recurrence.
“It is not exactly the same injury, although it is in a similar area,” Carrick said. “We are still assessing it and trying to establish how long he could be unavailable for. Naturally, we hope it will not be too long, but there is no clear answer at the moment.”
United injury picture ahead of Tottenham
Sesko is one of several fitness concerns following the international fixtures. Patrick Dorgu suffered a hamstring injury while representing Denmark and is expected to be absent for a number of weeks.
Noussair Mazraoui is also uncertain after leaving the field with a knock. Carrick said the defender had not fully recovered in time for an immediate decision on his availability against Spurs.
“Patrick had to come off and it appears he will be out for several weeks,” Carrick said. “Nous picked up a knock and is not quite right, so we will see where he is.”
Baleba closer to first appearance
There was more encouraging news over Carlos Baleba, who could be in contention to make his first Manchester United appearance following his summer transfer from Brighton. The midfielder has increased his training work after his early spell at the club was disrupted.
Amad, Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo have each completed some training as United assess their options after the break.
“Carlos has made progress and has trained quite a bit,” Carrick said. “Amad has done some training, Marcus has done some training and Kobbie has done some training as well. It is a mixed situation across the squad.”
United host Tottenham on Saturday knowing Sesko’s absence leaves Carrick without a timetable for one of his central attacking options, while the fitness of Mazraoui and the readiness of Baleba will be settled closer to kick-off.
