'Atypical injury' forces Man Utd to act: €40m January deal could be on

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Tom Weber | Writer

Manchester United could be forced to make a striker signing in January amid growing concerns over Benjamin Sesko's fitness.

The Slovenia international has been forced to sit out this extended international break after his latest injury. Sesko, who was dealing with a shin problem all summer, suffered a setback during Man Utd's Carabao Cup loss to Brighton last week and subsequently missed the Fulham game.

Reports in his home country have suggested that it may be a recurrence of a chronic injury, and there is no clear timeframe for his return. The 23-year-old hasn't played for Slovenia in more than a year due to his fitness. He was also suffering from a knee issue last term.

The match against Brighton was Sesko's first start since the beginning of May. He has only been a substitute in the Premier League so far this season, amassing just 76 minutes of action across four cameo appearances.

Sesko, who could cost Man Utd up to €85 million due to add-ons, was relatively effective last season, even though he had to split his time between the starting eleven and the bench. He bagged 11 goals in league play, including a run of five in seven games between February and March.

Sesko to be sidelined long-term?

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of a clash with Scotland, Slovenia manager Bostjan Cesar gave his thoughts on Sesko amid growing concerns that this could be a longer-term issue for the 23-year-old.

"This isn’t an easy time for Benjamin," Cesar said. "He is going through a difficult period in his career. As we know, he hasn’t suffered many injuries in the past. It is an atypical injury that requires time to heal.

"The most important thing now is for SeSko to surround himself with people he trusts and believes in, and for everyone around him to remain positive. Because that is what he needs. He needs time, he needs good rehabilitation - and Slovenia needs him too, once he is fully healthy."

Cesar was also asked about the criticism Sesko is starting to face due to his lack of availability. The manager believes that the striker will be able to cope with the scrutiny. He explained: "We know that when you play for such a big club, things like this happen."

"It is a process that not only Benjamin goes through, but all footballers do. Naturally, there was no such criticism when he was fit and scoring goals. He’s aware of this. He is a professional. I believe he doesn’t read these things or let them weigh on his mind."

"He is a young player, and things are moving incredibly fast in his life. But he has already made the mental shift. His mind will have to make such transitions in the future as well."

Man Utd to act in January

Should Sesko indeed be sidelined for several weeks or perhaps months, Man Utd may have to seriously consider dipping into the market in January. They are already playing catch-up after a poor start to the season and can't afford to fall further behind.

That said, it is not clear whether they have the funds available to make a major signing in January. In the summer, they opted against reinforcing the attack and instead focused entirely on the midfield.

Reports have suggested that they are attentive to potential opportunities in the forwards market, but whether this will result in a transfer remains to be seen. What will happen with Joshua Zirkzee is also up in the air.

The Dutchman wanted out in the summer, but Man Utd failed to source a suitable replacement. They'll be even more reluctant to sanction his exit if Sesko isn't available.

There have been links with some possible options, but again, it's too early to know whether anything will be possible in January. Borussia Dortmund star Serhou Guirassy is one name that has been mentioned.

The 30-year-old had a €40m release clause in the summer. At that price, Man Utd surely won't make a move considering his age, while Dortmund understandably don't want to lose their main source of goals mid-season.

The same applies to SC Freiburg and Igor Matanovic, who was briefly considered as a Zirkzee replacement in the summer. The Croatia international has already bagged six goals this season and fits the Red Devils' age profile better at 23.

Matanovic is also a target for Tottenham, but will Freiburg sell? It may require an extraordinary offer. When asked about the high-profile interest earlier this week, Matanovic was incredibly diplomatic.

"I’m not thinking about that," he insisted. "I’m focused on the pitch because I know everything depends on how you train and play. When there is talk of interest from such clubs, it shows you are on the right track.

"It can serve as extra motivation to keep going in the same direction. But my focus is on Freiburg, on continuing to play good football and winning as many matches as possible.

The physical target man - nicknamed "The Punisher" by Freiburg fans - wouldn't even allow himself to be drawn on whether he could thrive in England. "I know that’s an interesting topic, but I don't want to speculate right now on which league would suit me best," he deflected.

"We all know the Premier League is among the best in the world, distinguished by its high tempo and dynamic nature. I believe any footballer can enjoy the atmosphere and the passion the fans have for the game there, just as is the case in Germany.

"I think that if you are a genuine, complete player, you can succeed in any league. As for which one suits someone best, you can probably only tell once you’ve actually played there."

Ultimately, a lot will depend on Sesko's recovery and how his body holds up going forward. Should his problems persist over the festive period, an incoming January transfer may become more concrete.

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Tom Weber | Writer

Tom Weber is an experienced, multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer as part of his freelance work for FootballTransfers.

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