Manchester United Blocks Benjamin Sesko from Slovenia Duty

Benjamin Sesko’s stop-start Manchester United career has hit another awkward twist – and this time it is dragging his national team into the story.

United have refused to release the 23-year-old striker for Slovenia’s upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures, with the club insisting his lingering shin problem needs to be handled in Manchester, not on international duty.

A shin problem that will not go away

Sesko ended last season in pain. Discomfort in his shin ruled him out of the run-in, then wiped out his entire pre-season. He finally reappeared off the bench against Hull City on the opening weekend of the 2026-27 Premier League campaign, a brief cameo that was supposed to signal a fresh start.

It has not worked out that way.

He has two goals in six appearances for United this term, flashes of the penalty-box presence that persuaded the club to bring him in from RB Leipzig last summer. But his rhythm has never settled. He laboured in the EFL Cup tie against Brighton & Hove Albion, then disappeared from the squad entirely for Sunday’s Premier League win over Fulham.

Even so, he had been named in Slovenia’s squad for a demanding Nations League block: two games against Scotland, plus meetings with North Macedonia and Switzerland. For a country of Slovenia’s size, a fit Sesko is not a luxury. He is central to their plans.

United have drawn a line.

Club versus country tension grows

The club informed the Slovenian federation that Sesko will not be travelling to join up with Bostjan Cesar’s squad, nor even flying out to have the injury assessed on international soil. All medical work, all decisions, will be made in Manchester.

Sesko’s repeated absences from national team camps since his move to Old Trafford have already strained relations between United and Slovenia. This latest call-off will not ease that tension.

United set out their position in a statement.

“Manchester United can confirm that Benjamin Sesko has withdrawn from the Slovenia squad ahead of the upcoming three-week international break,” the club said.

“The striker had been called up by head coach Bostjan Cesar for two games against Scotland, plus meetings with North Macedonia and Switzerland, but he will now no longer join the squad.

“Sesko last appeared in our Carabao Cup tie with Brighton & Hove Albion, but was absent from the matchday squad for our most recent encounter with Fulham. Benjamin will undergo tests this week before defining his individual recovery plan.”

The message is clear: United want control over every step of his recovery.

Carrick cautious, United hopeful

Michael Carrick is not taking any chances. The United head coach admitted the club still do not have full clarity on the extent of the problem.

“We’re not sure with Ben yet. He felt a bit of pain after the game, we’re assessing him,” Carrick told reporters.

“At the moment, he definitely wasn’t ready for today, so I haven’t really got any more news to give you at this point. We’ll have to see what that brings.”

Behind the scenes, there is guarded optimism. United hope Sesko will be available for selection against Tottenham Hotspur on October 10. That date now hangs over his rehab like a target on the wall, but even the club accept there are no guarantees.

A career still waiting to ignite

Strip away the frustration and the numbers show a player still finding his feet in England.

Since arriving from RB Leipzig last summer, Sesko has scored 14 goals and provided one assist in 38 appearances for United. In the Premier League, the return stands at 12 goals and one assist across 34 games.

Not poor. Not yet spectacular either.

He has struggled to stitch those goals into a consistent run, drifting between promising bursts and quieter spells. There have been nights when his movement and finishing hint at a future focal point for United’s attack. There have been others where he fades, isolated and ineffective.

Now the stop-start pattern is being reinforced by injury. United want to protect an asset they believe can grow into a star. Slovenia want their leading forward available for a crucial international window.

The shin will decide who gets their way first.