Manchester United have reportedly received another worrying injury setback after the club’s medical team indicated that Benjamin Šeško might not return to action anytime soon.
The Slovenian striker is facing an extended period on the sidelines following complications with a shin injury that has continued to trouble him, leaving Michael Carrick with another major headache as he attempts to improve United’s performances this season.
According to the latest information surrounding the situation, Manchester United’s medical team has determined that Šeško needs more time to recover fully before returning to competitive football. The club is reportedly unwilling to rush his rehabilitation because of concerns that an early comeback could make the injury worse and potentially keep him out for an even longer period.
The 23-year-old forward has not featured for Manchester United since the Carabao Cup defeat against Brighton on September 16. His absence has become increasingly frustrating for the coaching staff, particularly because he had only recently started finding his rhythm after working hard to regain fitness during pre-season.
Šeško initially struggled with a shin problem towards the end of last season, an issue that also affected his preparations for the current campaign. Although he managed to return and make appearances for United, the problem resurfaced, forcing the medical department to conduct further examinations to understand what was happening.
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has already confirmed that the striker will be unavailable for an extended period. Speaking ahead of the club’s upcoming Premier League encounter against Chelsea, Carrick admitted that the situation was unfortunate and that the club still did not have a definite return date.
The manager explained that Šeško needed to go through a proper healing process before the medical team could determine the next steps. He also acknowledged how disappointing the situation was for the player, who had worked extremely hard to overcome his previous injury problems.
Reports indicate that Šeško could remain unavailable until January 2027, meaning Manchester United might have to navigate several important fixtures without their recognised centre-forward.
This is particularly concerning because United invested heavily in bringing the Slovenian international to Old Trafford, believing that his physical strength, movement, aerial ability and finishing could transform their attacking options.
Since arriving from RB Leipzig, Šeško has been expected to become an important part of Manchester United’s long-term attacking project. His performances have shown glimpses of his potential, and the coaching staff believe he has the qualities required to become a reliable goalscorer in the Premier League.
His absence has also created additional pressure on the remaining attacking players. Without a natural centre-forward available, Carrick must find alternative ways to organise his attacking line and ensure that Manchester United continue creating enough goalscoring opportunities.
The recent 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth highlighted some of the problems United have experienced in attack. The team struggled to create a consistent threat, and the absence of a recognised striker has become an important talking point among supporters.
Šeško’s injury could also influence Manchester United’s January transfer plans. If his recovery takes longer than expected, the club may have to consider bringing in another attacking option to avoid depending entirely on players who are naturally more comfortable in different positions.
There are also concerns about the long-term implications of the injury. Manchester United will want to ensure that the striker returns in the best possible condition rather than rushing him back simply because the team needs goals.
For now, the priority remains his recovery. The club’s medical department will continue monitoring his progress, while Carrick waits for a clearer indication of when his striker can return to training.
Manchester United supporters will undoubtedly be disappointed by the development, especially considering how much excitement surrounded Šeško’s arrival.
With important Premier League and European fixtures approaching, losing such an important attacking option represents another difficult challenge for Carrick.
The biggest concern is that Šeško might not be available until the beginning of 2027, leaving Manchester United without one of their most important attacking investments for a significant period.