Manchester United’s brakes screeched briefly on Saturday as Benjamin Sesko limped off inside 30 minutes at Tottenham, but the alarm bells at Carrington appear to be muted.
The £73.7m striker will miss Slovenia’s crucial World Cup qualifiers, yet United insiders insist the injury — a knee jolt after a tackle from Micky van de Ven — is unlikely to become the long-term catastrophe some feared.
A worrying moment, but not a catastrophe
Sesko’s early exit and the image of him leaving the stadium moving gingerly sparked instant headlines and transfer-window anxieties.
Head coach Ruben Amorim warned that knee problems can be unpredictable, fuelling speculation about the striker’s January plans. Still, club sources pushing back against suggestions of a months-long layoff, while acknowledging that further scans at United’s training base will determine the full picture.
Immediate impact: Slovenia will miss him
For now the practical consequence is clear: Sesko will sit out Slovenia’s key qualifiers against Kosovo and Sweden — fixtures that carry World Cup play-off hopes. It’s a blow for his national team and a reminder that timing can be cruel for emerging stars trying to cement reputations on both club and country stages.
Martinez managed with caution as he edges closer
Elsewhere United are taking a careful route with Lisandro Martinez. The Argentina defender has rejoined international camp ahead of a friendly with Angola, though he won’t play and United declined to recall him.
Martinez, returning from major knee surgery in February, is training and building fitness but remains managed gingerly after a history of long-term setbacks. United will keep a performance staff member alongside him during his time away to safeguard his recovery.
What this means for United
United’s message is calculated: treat the scare as a reminder to be cautious, not panicked. Sesko’s absence opens short-term selection questions amid forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations departures for other squad members, but the club’s stance suggests confidence that the striker’s situation will be clarified — and likely contained — once specialist checks are completed. For Martinez, the priority is the slow, steady road back rather than a dramatic return.
Bottom line
A scare at Tottenham, a cautious club response, and a clear plan for recovery: United have so far defused the worst of the drama. Both players’ immediate futures hinge on medical updates and conservative management, but the tone from Carrington is measured — a pragmatic approach that favours long-term fitness over short-term headlines.
