Sesko's shin trouble flares up again, ruled out of Manchester United squad

The shin, again. Benjamin Sesko is out of a Manchester United squad once more, and this time the explanation stings a bit more than usual, because this isn't a fresh knock, it's the same issue from the summer resurfacing.

The Slovenian striker missed the final three games of last season with a shin problem that also kept him out of every preseason friendly. It cost him close to two full months on the sidelines. He returned as a substitute on opening day against Hull and had made six total appearances this season across all competitions since then. Nothing spectacular, but at least he was on the field.

The trouble is that he started Wednesday's 3-2 loss to Brighton in the Carabao Cup, and then simply wasn't in the squad list for Sunday's game against Fulham. Something didn't add up, and Michael Carrick confirmed as much after the match: the issue is tied to the very same injury that had already sidelined him months earlier.

Carrick's comments

United's manager made no attempt to hide the uncertainty surrounding the case. He spoke cautiously, offering no timeline and no guarantees, which tends to be the most honest way of admitting they still don't fully know what they're dealing with.

"We're not sure with Ben yet. He felt some pain after the game [against Brighton], so we're getting him assessed. For today, he was definitely not ready for [Fulham], so I've got no further news to give at this point. We'll have to see what happens."Michael Carrick

That phrase, "we'll have to see what happens," sums up the mood at Old Trafford pretty well when it comes to the treatment room. Carrick can't promise anything because he doesn't have the answer himself, and that adds extra worry at a club already dealing with a string of absences.

That's where hope for the FIFA break comes in. Carrick is counting on these weeks without official competition to give several of his injured players time to get back to full fitness. Sesko, obviously, is the name causing the most concern given his recent history, but he's not the only one on the list of players working their way back.

Summer signing Carlos Baleba made the bench for the first time at Craven Cottage, a step forward after time out. Matthijs de Ligt did travel to London but wasn't in condition to be included in the squad. Meanwhile, winger Amad Diallo still hasn't played a single minute this season.

On top of that there's the situation with Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo, both called up by the England national team, though their physical issues could force them to withdraw from that squad. It's a puzzle of absences that Carrick hopes to start solving once club football resumes.