MRI scan in London signals deep trouble for Benjamin Sesko

Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko undergoes an MRI scan in London today, September 22, to determine the severity of a persistent lower-body injury. The 23-year-old Slovenian forward was omitted entirely from the squad for Saturday's 1-1 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Sesko reported discomfort following United's Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last week. Head coach Michael Carrick initially attempted to downplay the setback during his pre-match media duties.

blockquote>"He just felt a little bit of pain after the game the other night. We're assessing that: hopefully, it's not too bad, but we will have to see."

Despite Carrick's calm demeanor, medical reports out of Slovenia present a far grimmer outlook. Outlets Ekipa and Planet Nogomet report that doctors fear a recurrence of the chronic issues that derailed Sesko's campaign earlier this year.

The €75 million forward missed a full month of action last season due to a knee injury. He then suffered a painful shin injury against Liverpool in May that severely restricted his pre-season training load.

Slovenian medical experts noted that the absence of a clear bone fracture points toward chronic stress patterns rather than an acute impact trauma. Such issues cannot simply be patched or bandaged without significant rest.

Sesko had established himself as United's primary central threat this season, scoring twice in six appearances. Without his physical presence, Carrick was forced to deploy Matheus Cunha as a makeshift central attacker at Craven Cottage.

While Sesko limited his missed fixtures to just 12 games during his stint at RB Leipzig, his medical trajectory at Old Trafford is raising serious concern. United's medical staff must now await scan results to determine if a lengthy rehabilitation period is required.

England withdrawals compound Michael Carrick’s selection nightmare

The concern surrounding Sesko arrives alongside a double fitness blow from the national team camp. Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and forward Marcus Rashford have both withdrawn from Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the upcoming September Nations League fixtures.

Mainoo's withdrawal is particularly frustrating given his summer trajectory. The teenage midfielder did not play a single minute at the 2026 World Cup in North America, but Tuchel recently promised to integrate him directly into the senior starting lineup.

blockquote>"I expect him to be on the pitch. He didn't put a foot wrong in the World Cup: he was class in behaviour and on the training pitch."

Rashford also returns to Carrington early after stepping into the starting XI against Fulham. The 28-year-old returned to Old Trafford this summer following an 18-month loan spell that included a stint at Barcelona, but he struggled to influence play before exiting the pitch.

As confirmed by FourFourTwo's injury update, both Mainoo and Rashford were pulled from international duty as precautionary measures rather than long-term structural damage.

However, their temporary absence leaves Carrick managing a depleted training group during an international window meant for tactical refinement. Key figures Matthijs De Ligt and Amad Diallo also remain sidelined while targeting returns for October's Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur.

Tuchel has subsequently called up James Garner and Morgan Gibbs-White to replace the missing United duo. They join a growing list of England dropouts that includes Tino Livramento, Cole Palmer, and Declan Rice.

Tactical paralysis and the ghosts of 2020 haunt Old Trafford

Medical setbacks only tell half the story for a club struggling for identity on the pitch. United have mustered a dismal 5 points from five games to open the Premier League season, leaving Carrick under immediate pressure.

The sluggish draw at Fulham drew sharp criticism from former captain Gary Neville, who branded the performance "absolutely pathetic." The verdict echoed Neville's famous rant following United's historic 6-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur back in 2020.

In his analysis for FourFourTwo, journalist Henry Winter noted how little has changed in six years. Back in 2020, defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw received scathing BBC player ratings of 1.85 and 1.95 respectively.

While Maguire rated 4.39 and Shaw earned 4.23 at Craven Cottage, the lack of competitive bite remains indistinguishable. Disillusioned supporters continue to voice grievances that echo the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era.

blockquote>"This is what you get for years of mismanagement top down to bottom. A manager that isn't up to it, a squad that's not capable, the club run as a way of providing money to the Glazers only."

Carrick's in-game tactical management against Fulham exposed worrying indecision. Substituting Mainoo late in the second half stood out as a glaring error, given the academy product was one of the few players showing genuine work rate.

Instead of introducing energetic youngster Shea Lacey on the right wing and shifting Bryan Mbeumo central, Carrick brought on Joshua Zirkzee, whose limited mobility failed to disrupt Fulham's low block. The head coach appeared passive on the touchline while his team drifted toward another dropped result.

Tottenham clash looms as Ineos recruitment failures come to light

United now enter a critical recovery window before hosting Tottenham Hotspur next month. But tactical adjustments will mean little if the club's physical output fails to match Premier League standards.

United's players were out-worked by Fulham, contrasting sharply with the relentless running displayed by clubs like Brighton and Sunderland over the weekend. Lesser-known rosters are regularly showing bigger hearts than Old Trafford's high earners.

The structural problems trace directly back to questionable summer transfer decisions executed by Ineos and the sporting hierarchy. Allocating £48m for Andrey Santos while neglecting central defensive reinforcements has left the squad fragile at the back.

Detailed reporting from Slovenian outlet Planet Nogomet highlights how dependent Carrick is on Sesko's availability. Without a focal point up front, United's attack lacks physical presence.

Midfield recruitment has similarly lagged. Summer arrival Carlos Baleba is still building match fitness, while Youri Tielemans continues to adapt, leaving United's central spine devoid of necessary athleticism.

Replacing Carrick now would only perpetuate the reactive cycle that has stalled the club for six years. Constant managerial churn has solved nothing since 2020, and changing the head coach will not fix broken recruitment systems.

Carrick needs time and proper backing in the January window, but he must also display far greater urgency in his decision-making. If Sesko's scan results today deliver bad news, Carrick must overhaul his tactical structure immediately or watch United's campaign unravel before autumn ends.