Benjamin Sesko will be out for a few weeks with a knee injury, but Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim expects the forward to return soon

Manchester United forward Benjamin Sesko is set to miss “a few weeks” after sustaining a knee injury ahead of the international break, manager Ruben Amorim confirmed on Friday.

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The 22-year-old Slovenian, who joined United from RB Leipzig for £74 million ($97 million) in August, was hurt during the 2-2 draw at Tottenham on 8 November and subsequently missed his country’s World Cup qualifiers.

Amorim admitted initial concerns due to the nature of the knee injury but reassured fans that Sesko has avoided a long-term layoff.

“He is going to stay out for a few weeks, I don’t know how long, but it is not that serious,” the United boss said during his pre-match press conference ahead of Monday’s visit of Everton.

“We have to be careful with him, he is doing the recovery and feeling better. So in a few weeks, I expect to have Ben back.”

The Portuguese manager expects Sesko’s return to coincide roughly with the departure of Manchester United’s Africa Cup of Nations participants, including Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo, Ivory Coast’s Amad Diallo and Morocco’s Noussair Mazraoui. Discussions are ongoing regarding the timing of their releases.

“We are doing our job to try to maintain the players a little bit longer, but it’s not just in our hands,” Amorim said. “We need to respect that, but we will try to do everything to protect the club, protect the player and protect the national team.”

Reflecting on his first anniversary as United manager—his first game was against Ipswich on 24 November last year—Amorim acknowledged the challenges of taking charge at the club but highlighted progress after last season’s struggles.

“Right away, I knew that we will struggle in some things,” he said. “But it was that feeling of, yes, it’s the best league in the world. It’s maybe the best club in the world. But at the same time, it’s a big job and it’s going to require a lot of work.”

Amorim added that United, who finished 15th in 2024/25, are improving. “We suffered a lot last year, so we have to take that into account and play every game like it’s the last one or the first one,” he said.

“But of course, I expect a team with more control, more dominance, playing better football and, most importantly, more competitive in every way.”

United will also be without Harry Maguire for the Everton clash after the defender was injured against Spurs, although midfielder Kobbie Mainoo could be available. Lisandro Martinez is also nearing a return after being involved with Argentina during the break.

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The Red Devils currently sit seventh in the Premier League after an unbeaten run of five games, though they have drawn their last two matches against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham.