Ruben Amorim is left without a striker

Worry has set in at Old Trafford. Manchester United confirmed that Benjamin Sesko will be sidelined for several weeks after suffering a knee injury during the 2–2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur, right before the international break.

The Slovenian striker, signed for $96.3 million from RB Leipzig, hasn’t had an easy start in England, and this new setback comes at the worst possible time for both him and Rúben Amorim’s team.

The initial medical report states that Sesko will be unable to train or compete for several weeks, although the diagnosis is “less serious than expected.” Still, his absence will see him miss key matches against Everton, Crystal Palace, West Ham, and Wolves during a crucial stretch of the season.

A setback that complicates Rúben Amorim’s plans

For Rúben Amorim, Sesko’s injury represents a major headache. The Portuguese manager, who has consistently shown faith in the young forward, must now reorganize his attack with limited resources.

His only natural No. 9 alternative is Joshua Zirkzee, who has also expressed his desire to leave the club, leaving Amorim with few reliable attacking options.

Temporary solutions being considered include Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, both capable of adapting to a false nine role. However, they are more effective on the wings, which could reduce the team’s threat inside the box over the coming fixtures.

After the match against Tottenham, Amorim was clear:

“We need Ben to be a better team. It’s a knee injury, we don’t yet know the full extent, but we hope to have him back soon.”

Slovenia erupts: tension between club and national team

The Sesko case took a controversial turn when the Slovenian Football Federation (NZS) demanded explanations from United for preventing the player from joining the national team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Kosovo and Sweden.

Head coach Matjaž Kek harshly criticized the English club, claiming he had not received official medical documentation and threatened to create a “diplomatic incident” if the matter wasn’t clarified.

Hours later, the Federation released a statement confirming it had received the full medical reports from Manchester, acknowledging that the injury prevents Sesko from training or playing.

However, the conflict highlighted the recurring tension between European clubs and national teams, especially when it involves young talents representing multi-million investments.

A psychological and sporting blow for United

Beyond the international controversy, Sesko’s injury is a psychological blow for Manchester United, still seeking consistency under Amorim’s command.

The 21-year-old striker had shown flashes of quality but had yet to fully establish himself. This forced break could slow his adaptation to the Premier League’s pace.

In a squad that has struggled to score goals, his absence comes at a critical time. Amorim will have to rely on creative tactical adjustments while Sesko recovers, with hopes that he might return before the end of the year.

For now, everything indicates that Sesko’s comeback could happen between late December and early January, provided his recovery goes as planned. Until then, United will have to learn to survive without their promising star forward.