Manchester United have suffered another setback in their attacking department, with striker Benjamin Šeško expected to remain sidelined until at least January 2027 because of a persistent shin injury.
According to reports by The Athletic, the Premier League club are prioritising the Slovenian international’s long-term recovery rather than rushing him back into action, with medical specialists assessing the best approach to resolving the problem.
The latest development means Šeško could miss the remainder of 2026, dealing a significant blow to Manchester United as they attempt to improve their performances during a challenging period of the season.
The 23-year-old has not featured since United’s Carabao Cup defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion on September 16, when he was substituted in the second half.
His current absence follows an earlier shin problem that affected him towards the end of last season and forced him to miss Manchester United’s pre-season preparations.
Šeško initially sustained the injury after taking a knock to his shin and continued playing before the problem worsened during United’s Premier League meeting with Liverpool in May.
The striker subsequently missed the final three league matches of the previous campaign before working towards a return to full fitness over the summer.
Although he eventually returned to action at the beginning of the new season, the problem resurfaced, forcing United to seek further medical assessments to establish the appropriate treatment.
The club are understood to be keen to give the forward sufficient time to recover fully, with the possibility of an extended rest period forming part of the plan.
Rather than risk another setback by bringing him back prematurely, United want Šeško to return when he is physically ready to compete consistently.
The injury has also complicated manager Michael Carrick’s attacking plans, particularly because Šeško provides a recognised centre-forward option capable of leading the line.
Since his arrival from RB Leipzig in August 2025, the Slovenian has been expected to strengthen United’s attacking options with his physical presence, movement and goalscoring ability.
He showed encouraging signs during his opening campaign at Old Trafford, finishing among the club’s leading scorers in the Premier League.
His absence has forced Carrick to consider alternative attacking arrangements, with players such as Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo available to operate in more advanced positions.
However, losing a specialist striker limits the manager’s flexibility, particularly during a demanding period involving important domestic and European fixtures.
The situation also raises questions about whether Manchester United have sufficient depth in the centre-forward position to cope with an extended injury absence.
While the club can adjust its tactical approach to accommodate the players available, Šeško’s prolonged recovery could increase the importance of finding reliable goalscoring alternatives within the squad.
United must also consider the longer-term implications of the injury, especially if the forward requires additional time to regain match fitness after recovering.
Returning from an injury does not automatically guarantee immediate availability for competitive football. Šeško may need a gradual reintegration into training and match action before he can operate at his previous level.
For the player, the priority will be to overcome the recurring problem and establish the consistency required to fulfil his potential in English football.
At 23, he remains at an important stage of his development, and a carefully managed recovery could prove more beneficial than an early return followed by another setback.
For Manchester United, however, the timing is far from ideal. An extended absence would leave Carrick without one of his principal centre-forward options for a substantial portion of the campaign.
The club will therefore have to manage its attacking resources carefully while awaiting further progress in Šeško’s rehabilitation.
As things stand, January 2027 represents the earliest expected timeframe for his return, rather than a guaranteed comeback date.
Manchester United supporters will hope the extended recovery period allows the Slovenian striker to resolve the problem and return ready to make a sustained contribution during the second half of the season.
