BENJAMIN SESKO FACES ABSENCE UNTIL JANUARY

Benjamin Sesko is reportedly set to remain unavailable for Manchester United until at least January because of a shin problem. The striker has made six appearances in all competitions this season, according to one account. Accounts differ on his last appearance: one places it in the 13 September defeat to Manchester City, while another says he scored in a 3-2 win over Liverpool before a collision with advertising boards. Both accounts say the injury has kept him out of subsequent matches. The reported timetable would extend his absence by about two months.

Michael Carrick said around two weeks ago that Sesko’s current problem affected a similar area to an earlier shin injury. “It's not the exact [same] issue, it's a similar area, but it's not the exact same thing again,” Carrick said. He added that Manchester United were working to establish how long Sesko would be unavailable. The club has worked with a therapist to help Sesko regain fitness, according to one account. Joshua Zirkzee, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo are among the attacking players available to Carrick.

Manchester United have won one of their first eight Premier League games this season, according to one account. That account also puts the club’s winless run across competitions at eight matches. Carrick is due to take Manchester United to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea this weekend. He is expected to remain in charge for that match. The reported January timetable would rule Sesko out of the Chelsea fixture.