Manchester United are breathing a sigh of relief after new signing Benjamin Sesko appeared to escape a serious knee injury.
The Slovenia striker, however, will skip international duty despite calls for “maximum respect” from his national team coach, Matjaz Kek.
The 19-year-old’s absence from Slovenia’s training camp near Kranj comes after scans in Manchester following an injury sustained during United’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Saturday.
Sesko had come off the bench in the 58th minute, only to limp off 30 minutes later after a challenge from Micky van de Ven.
Club Sources Remain Cautiously Optimistic
United insiders say the £73.7million summer signing hasn’t suffered anything major, but the club plans to monitor him closely.
A more definitive update is expected before their next Premier League clash against Everton, scheduled for a week from Monday.
While Sesko won’t be joining Slovenia for now, the decision is likely to frustrate Kek, who has publicly demanded that Manchester United show respect to the national team.
National Team Boss Voices Frustration
Kek, 64, made clear he was kept out of the loop regarding Sesko’s situation.
“With all due respect to a great club like Manchester United, we have officially not received anything yet; no papers, no documents,” he said.
He added that Slovenia’s medical team, led by an expert of his choosing, has not been given the chance to review Sesko’s condition.
“The only thing that matters to me is his wellbeing.
We are prepared to do everything for that,” Kek emphasized, while still insisting on respect for the national team.
Kek also stressed Slovenia’s pride in their footballing achievements, noting that even a powerhouse like England has struggled against them in the past.
Teammates Concerned but Supportive
Sesko’s strike partner for Slovenia, Andraz Sporar of Slovan Bratislava, confirmed that the United forward had not joined the squad in Kranj.
“Regarding Beni, we don’t have any information about his knee injury.
I hope it’s nothing serious because we really need him for these two matches,” Sporar said.
He added that while Sesko’s absence would be felt, the team must adapt.
“We will definitely miss him, because he’s a really high-quality footballer.
But football is a team sport and we, who will be on the field, have to do everything to enjoy it.”
Looking Ahead
Manchester United and Slovenia now find themselves balancing player safety with international commitments.
While Sesko recovers under United’s watchful eye, both club and country hope for a speedy return to full fitness, leaving fans eager to see him back in action on both domestic and international stages.