Zirkee role, Hojlund recall: Manchester United have already shown how they will replace Benjamin Sesko

The good news for Manchester United is that Benjamin Sesko has not suffered a 'major' injury. The bad news is that he has still suffered one in the first place.

United will continue to monitor Sesko over the international break but the knee issue is so severe that he has had to withdraw from the Slovenia national side ahead of two crucial World Cup qualifiers. It is the wise decision for his long-term benefit, though it was still a tough one to make when his country needed him the most.

A further update is expected ahead of the next United match against Everton in two weeks. Sesko will be given as much time as possible to return to full fitness, though there is a very real possibility he could miss several matches for Ruben Amorim's side. It means United could be without a recognised senior striker and they have already shown how they will cope without him.

How United will cope without injured Sesko

The temptation is to say Joshua Zirkzee will be the main beneficiary from Benjamin Sesko's injury setback, though there is little evidence to back that claim up.

Zirkzee has played the second-fewest minutes of any United player still at the club this season and Ruben Amorim has doubts over his suitability as a centre-forward. The United head coach believes he lacks the physicality to lead the line in the Premier League and the 24-year-old would consider himself a hybrid '9.5' rather than a natural striker or an attacking midfielder. Yet it is in the latter role he is most likely to feature under Amorim before the end of the calendar year.

Zirkzee could get some game time when Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, but until then, they will both form part of a fluid forward line that has been trialled a few times this season. United have been at their best when they have been strikerless this campaign, and it makes more sense to stick with that system than to replace Sesko with someone who is less effective as the same focal point in attack.

It means that youngsters like Chido Obi and Gabriele Biancheri are unlikely to get an opportunity, though one of them could be named on the bench if Sesko is still sidelined when others are away at AFCON. There is also no chance of a recall for Rasmus Hojlund, who is effectively a permanent Napoli player already. It is understood there is no option to bring him back midway through his season-long loan, and there is no desire from Amorim to do so anyway.

Instead, the attacking burden will fall on Matheus Cunha. It is a pressure he views as a privilege and an opportunity he will relish to become the main man in the United attack. He led the line at Tottenham as he did at Liverpool, though Amorim might need to make some tactical tweaks for this approach favoured in big matches to function effectively in matches they are expected to win against teams lower in the table. It is certain he will start along with fellow summer signing Mbeumo in a fluid forward line, with Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes and Amad the candidates to fill the other vacancy.

With only one recognised senior striker, Sesko's injury is a timely reminder of the work that still needs to be done in United's squad rebuild, particularly if they are to compete across various fronts next season. It is unrealistic to rely on Sesko alone even when he is fit, and in many ways, it is better to work on a solution amid a reduced fixture schedule so that they are better placed to cope with it when they are playing twice a week again.

United will replace Sesko without using a striker at all.

Sesko injured, Mbeumo at AFCON - How Manchester United might have to line up without four stars