Benjamin Sesko has been ruled out until at least January in a fresh blow to Manchester United, talkSPORT understands.Sesko has been sidelined for the past six weeks with a shin injury, and after working with specialists, the Red Devils’ medical team have concluded he will need more time to recover.Benjamin Sesko has been unable to build on his double figures season last termGettyThe 23-year-old has not started a Premier League game this season, with his last appearance coming in his side’s Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton on September 16.But Sesko now faces a lengthy wait before he is back in action, after being dealt a blow in his recovery.More United woestalkSPORT understands that Sesko is facing a spell of at least two months out.Man United have been working with a specialist and the Slovenian is not expected to be back this year.It is currently unclear if his current shin issue is the same one that ended his 2025/26 season early. Sesko missed the final three matches of the season after being forced off against Liverpool in May following a push to the turf from Ibrahima Konate, causing a collision which worsened the injury. In his absence this term, United have struggled for results and end product, with Michael Carrick facing huge pressure in his position.After an embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League, things went from bad to worse at the weekend when his side were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at Old Trafford.Carrick appeared destined for the sack after the home loss, but he is now expected to be on the touchline on Saturday against Chelsea.The Red Devils currently enduring the club’s worst ever start to a Premier League season, having not won a match since beating Ipswich Town on August 30 and sit 16th in the table.Sesko remains sidelined with a shin injury suffered last month, and it is unclear when he will returnGettyJoshua Zirkzee has scored just nine goals in his Man United careerGettyWith Sesko firing in 11 league goals last term, his continued absence leaves United thin on the ground in terms of forward options.The English giants did not move for a back-up centre forward in the summer as they were unable to offload Joshua Zirkzee.After interest from Italian side Fiorentina, Zirkzee was then the subject of a deadline day enquiry from Everton, but his employers opted not to sell to boost their squad depth.But after a challenging time since his arrival at Old Trafford in 2024, the Dutchman has struggled again to make an impact this term.Zirkzee has scored just once in eight substitute appearances this season, while he has made one start in 29 games under Carrick.This season, United have tinkered with their forward line in a bid to get the best out of their attacking options.Sesko’s injury setback is far from ideal for Michael Carrick, who looks to be on borrowed time as United bossGettyThe Red Devils finished an impressive third in the Premier League last season, with Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha all hitting double figures in league goals.However, while Sesko has been ruled out, his strike partners have fared worse in a challenging start to the 2026/27 campaign.Cunha started up front in the season opener against Hull but has been replaced by Mbeumo, who is United’s joint-top scorer this term with four goals.Meanwhile club captain Bruno Fernandesoperated as a false nine on in a recent 1-1 draw with Leeds, but struggled to make an impact.United spent a combined £108.5million on Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund in successive summers before bringing in Sesko from RB Leipzig in a £74m deal last year.After taking six games to get off the mark, the Slovenia international went on to score 12 goals altogether in his debut campaign.Sesko’s goals helped United secure Champions League qualification last seasonAFPWith his goals securing United 14 points in the Premier League last season, Carrick previously suggested the club would communicate a specific timeframe on Sesko’s lay-off, as they find themselves in need of a source of goals.“We’re hoping really soon that we’ll have a clear picture,” Carrick said on Tuesday.“I’m not trying to delay it. Hopefully next time we speak, maybe not tomorrow, but by the end of the week, we’ll have something a little bit clearer. “There’s a bit of work going on at the moment, so we’ll see what comes out of that.”