Fabrizio Romano: Manchester United star set for showdown talks after huge injury update
The latest Man Utd transfer news as they plan for the January transfer window.
Manchester United do not believe Benjamin Sesko suffered a 'major injury' in the weekend draw with Tottenham Hotspur. The 22-year-old hobbled off the pitch after he suffered a knee injury and was later forced to withdraw from the Slovenia side for the international break.
Sesko is the only natural senior striker available to Ruben Amorim and the sight of his injury caused huge concern ahead of the festive fixture schedule. United will already be without Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo when they travel to the Africa Cup of Nations, which will leave Amorim light on options to lead the line in attack.
The good news is that United do not expect Sesko to be sidelined for a huge amount of time, though a clearer timeline for his return is expected before the home match against Everton in two weeks. It means Amorim might still require a short-term solution in attack, though it is less likely he will have to sign a replacement in the January transfer window.
Manchester United set for Zirkzee talks
Manchester United have always insisted they have no plans to get rid of Joshua Zirkzee in the January transfer window, and the Benjamin Sesko injury blow could provide him with the opportunity he has wanted. The Dutchman has struggled for playing time this campaign but could be given more chances now that the first-choice striker is sidelined.
Speaking in his latest YouTube video, notorious transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano issued an update on Sesko and explained what it could mean for United's options in attack.
“My information guys is that internally at Man United they feel that it’s not gonna be a super long injury. So not six, seven, eight months, not that kind of injury, that’s the feeling of Manchester United," Romano said.
“It’s gonna take some time, of course. He is not going to be ready tomorrow morning, but it’s not going to be a super long injury. That's an important impact on Manchester United's strategies.
"Ruben Amorim said after the Tottenham game, let's see the injury of Sesko, there are some players going to AFCON. The impact of Sesko might impact the January transfer window. If it were a long injury, Manchester United had to consider something. Now, the expectation is that Man United doesn't feel the injury is super serious. Not a short one, but it is not going to take super long.
"Rasmus Hojlund does not have any recall clause in his contract at Napoli, and also Hojlund feels like a Napoli player, not a Man United player. Napoli have all the intentions to sign Hojlund on a permanent transfer. Man United are not planning to have him back at the club.
"Then there is Joshua Zirkzee. Ruben Amorim doesn't want Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee to go in January. He believes there is going to be some need for these players. For sure, they both want to play. For Zirkzee, some calls have already started: West Ham, Roma. Man United will try to discuss with Joshua Zirkzee and his agents after they know when Benjamin Sesko will be ready. Zirkzee has always been regarded as an important player by Ruben Amorim.
Sesko injured, Mbeumo at AFCON - How Manchester United might have to line up without four stars