Benjamin Sesko row erupts as Premier League star hits out at Man Utd legends

· Mirror

Benjamin Sesko has withdrawn from the Slovenia squad for the international break with a shin injury, with Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt questioning the seriousness of the issue

Benjamin Sesko has been backed by Slovenia colleague Jaka Bijol after Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt cast doubt over the legitimacy of the Manchester United striker's injury. Sesko missed Saturday's clash with Fulham due to shin discomfort.

Michael Carrick later confirmed the forward was managing the problem and would be monitored. United then revealed on Monday night that Sesko had pulled out of Slovenia’s squad for the international break.

A club statement confirmed: "Benjamin will undergo tests this week before defining his individual recovery plan."

Despite that announcement, Scholes and Butt raised doubts about how serious the injury actually was. The former United midfielders also took aim at Carrick's deployment of Matheus Cunha, suggesting the Brazilian is far less influential when used as a false nine, the role he occupied against Fulham.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Scholes said: "If it isn't broken, just wear your shin pads," before Butt added: "You're a player - you either break your shin or you play!"

However, Bijol was far from impressed by those comments and hit back: "I hope and believe that Beni knows how to distance himself from this kind of pressure. When things aren't going your best on the pitch and you have certain doubts, reading things like this can make your confidence even worse.

> "He shouldn't pay too much attention to it, since we all know what quality he has. He himself knows what kind of footballer he is, and I think he always shows it with incredible things on the pitch."

On Tuesday morning, Sesko took to Instagram to share a statement written in Slovenian. Translated into English, the post read: "I am very sorry that I will have to miss the national team's upcoming matches. I have always played for Slovenia - and always will - with heart and pride.

> "Right now, the most important thing is to focus fully on my recovery. I am already working on getting back on the pitch as soon as possible to help both the national team and my club once again. I believe in our guys, and I am certain that this time, too, they will display the team spirit that has always defined us.

> "I can't wait to wear the national team jersey again; until then, I will be Slovenia's biggest supporter. Go Slovenia."

Sesko will have a number of weeks to recuperate before Manchester United's Premier League showdown with Tottenham on October 10 (5:30pm), once the international break has concluded.

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