Man Utd injury blow: Rashford, Sesko & Mainoo out of national squads

Man Utd suffer triple injury blow as Rashford, Sesko and Mainoo withdraw from national squads

Manchester United have been hit by a triple injury setback, with Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Sesko and Kobbie Mainoo set to withdraw from their respective national squads. Rashford and Mainoo sustained problems against Fulham, while Sesko felt renewed shin pain after being taken off against Brighton.

Players affected: Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Sesko, Kobbie Mainoo
Rashford and Mainoo: Picked up injuries against Fulham; withdrawn from England squad
Sesko: Felt pain in shin area after being taken off against Brighton; withdrawn from Slovenia squad
United's league position: 12th in Premier League with five points from five matches
Recent form: Knocked out of Carabao Cup by Brighton; won opening Champions League game against Sabah
Next step: Sesko to be assessed by United's medical department; all three face a race to return after the international break

Injury and availability

According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo both picked up injuries during the match against Fulham. As a result, the pair are set to be withdrawn from the England squad for the upcoming international fixtures.

Benjamin Sesko has been dealing with a shin problem that kept him out over the last few months. He recently returned to action, but the Manchester Evening News report that he felt pain once again in the shin area after being taken off against Brighton last weekend.

Sesko was consequently unavailable against Fulham and will now be assessed by United's medical department to determine the full extent of the issue. He has also been withdrawn from the Slovenia squad.

The triple blow leaves Manchester United without three key players for the duration of the international break. Rashford has been playing regularly under manager Michael Carrick since returning from his loan spell with Barcelona, though he has yet to showcase his best form.

Mainoo has been an undisputed starter in Carrick's line-up and has shown glimpses of his qualities despite United's poor performances this season. Sesko, who moved to Old Trafford from RB Leipzig, has struggled with several fitness problems and has found it difficult to establish himself as a regular starter.

Selection headache deepens for Carrick

Michael Carrick is already navigating a challenging start to the season. United sit 12th in the Premier League with just five points from five matches, having won only one league game. They were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Brighton last week, though they did win their opening Champions League encounter against Sabah.

The latest injuries compound Carrick's problems. Rashford's withdrawal from the England squad removes a regular attacking outlet, while Mainoo's absence deprives United of their most consistent midfield presence. Sesko's ongoing shin issue is particularly concerning given his previous struggles with fitness since arriving from Germany.

United revamped their engine room in the summer, bringing in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba from Chelsea, Aston Villa and Brighton and Hove Albion respectively. That investment was intended to push the club forward after finishing third last campaign. However, the new-look midfield has yet to yield the desired results, and the loss of Mainoo for any period would force Carrick to reshuffle further.

Why the international break matters

The timing of these injuries could hardly be worse. United will now have to wait through the international break to assess the trio's availability. Sesko's assessment is particularly crucial, as the Slovenian has a history of shin trouble and any recurrence could keep him out longer than initially feared.

For Rashford, the injury interrupts his attempts to find form after returning from his loan spell at Barcelona. He has been a regular under Carrick but has not yet hit the heights expected of him. Mainoo's absence, meanwhile, would be a significant blow given his status as an undisputed starter.

United's medical staff will be working overtime to ensure the three players are ready for the resumption of domestic and European action. The club's supporters will be hoping the problems are not serious and that the trio can return after the long international break.

Talking points

United's decision to overhaul the midfield with Santos, Tielemans and Baleba now looks even more important — they can ill afford to lose Mainoo for any length of time.
Sesko's recurring shin problem raises questions about his long-term fitness; United may need to consider whether he can be relied upon as a starter.
Rashford's form has been underwhelming since his return from Barcelona, and this injury could cost him momentum as he tries to rediscover his best.
Carrick's squad depth will be tested; a poor run after the international break could see the pressure intensify at Old Trafford.

What happens next

Manchester United's medical team will assess Benjamin Sesko's shin injury while Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo recover from their respective problems. The trio will miss the upcoming international fixtures. Their availability for United's next domestic fixture will become clearer after the international break, when Carrick's side will look to climb from 12th in the Premier League table.

Frequently asked questions

Which Manchester United players are injured?

Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Sesko and Kobbie Mainoo are all set to withdraw from their national squads due to injury. Rashford and Mainoo picked up problems against Fulham, while Sesko felt shin pain after being taken off against Brighton.

Why are Rashford and Mainoo withdrawing from the England squad?

Both players sustained injuries during Manchester United's match against Fulham, as reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic, and will therefore not join up with England.

What is Benjamin Sesko's injury?

Sesko felt pain once again in his shin area after being substituted against Brighton. He had been out for months with a shin issue before returning recently. He will now be assessed by United's medical department.