Manchester United are confident Benjamin Sesko has avoided a serious knee injury, but the Slovenia striker will not report for international duty despite a demand for ‘maximum respect’ from his national team boss Matjaz Kek.
Sesko was absent from Slovenia’s training camp near Kranj, where Kek’s squad are preparing for their World Cup qualifiers against Kosovo and Sweden, as he underwent scans in Manchester on the injury sustained in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
United’s £73.7million summer signing came on as a 58th-minute substitute, but went off half an hour later limping heavily following a challenge by Micky van de Ven.
United sources said they do not believe the former RB Leipzig striker has suffered a ‘major’ injury but will continue to monitor him and provide a clearer update before the club’s next game against Everton a week on Monday.
United also confirmed that Sesko will not join up with Slovenia for the time being, a decision that was bound to irk Kek after the 64-year-old coach called for the club to show his country respect.
Kek claimed that he and his medical team had been kept in the dark, although United insisted they had followed the necessary protocols in terms of withdrawing Sesko, and the Slovenian FA confirmed later in the day that all the relevant documentation had eventually been sent.
Slovenia Matjaz Kek has demanded Manchester United show ‘respect’ to his national side
Kek says he has not heard from United after Sesko was injured during the club’s draw at Spurs
The Slovenian was brought on by Ruben Amorim just 27 minutes before going off with a knock
‘With all due respect to a great club like Manchester United, we have officially not received anything yet; no papers, no documents,’ said Kek.
‘We would certainly like to get them. We want our medical team to also take a look at it. Our doctor is an expert in this field. We don’t have just anyone in this position.
‘I cannot comment, of course I have certain information, and I am also in contact with Beni, of course.
‘I can’t say anything because officially we don’t know anything at all. United haven’t contacted anyone from our camp. Of course, I am concerned about the player; the only thing that matters to me is his wellbeing.
‘We are prepared to do everything for that, and we have never sent anyone onto the field if there was the slightest risk. However, the national team is something very special, and I expect maximum respect from everyone. Slovenia deserves that, even if on the other side there is a powerhouse like England, and something as extraordinary as the Premier League.
‘After all, it has been quite some time since England defeated Slovenia, and that in itself says something about us.’
Earlier, Sesko’s strike partner for the national team, Slovan Bratislava forward Andraz Sporar, confirmed that the United played had not reported to Slovenia’s training camp near Kranj.
‘Regarding Beni, we don’t have any information about his knee injury,’ said Sporar. ‘I hope it’s nothing serious because we really need him for these two matches. I doubt he’ll come, but I hope it’s nothing serious, also because of his career.
‘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, will have to do everything to enjoy it.’
