Manchester United have been dealt a fresh injury blow amid the mounting pressure on Michael Carrick. Now winless in eight games, and with Carrick hanging by a thread, United could have done with a break, but they now know they will be without starting striker Benjamin Sesko until the new year.

Sesko has only made six appearances across all competitions this season, and he has not played since the September 13th defeat to Manchester City in the derby. The striker has been out since then with a shin issue, and GIVEMESPORT understands that United have been working with a therapist in a bid to get their striker back to full fitness, but they have now been told Sesko will remain unavailable until the new year.

It has been a miserable start to the season for the Red Devils, who have only won one of their first eight Premier League games, but while pressure is being ramped up on Carrick, the current boss is going to remain in charge until at least after this weekend, which will see Carrick take his men to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea.

That's going to be a big test for United, and another misstep could see the Old Trafford board pull the trigger. Carrick may feel hard done by due to the club's summer recruitment. The Red Devils did not sign senior cover for Luke Shaw at left-back, which has already been an issue, with winger and usual back-up Patrick Dorgu currently out injured, while they also failed to sign adequate cover up top.

Beyond Sesko, who has previously been described as 'incredible' by Steve McManaman, United are relying on Joshua Zirkzee, who has struggled for form since arriving at the club in the summer of 2024, and Matheus Cunha, who has struggled to prove himself as an out-and-out striker, at least in a one-striker system.