Wayne Rooney slams Benjamin Sesko for missing Man Utd clash with shin injury

· Mirror

Benjamin Sesko sat out of Manchester United's draw at Fulham, which has copped criticism from Wayne Rooney as the striker continues to deal with a shin injury

Wayne Rooney has cast doubt over Benjamin Sesko's shin injury, which continues to plague him, and claimed the Manchester United striker is likely wearing "them little stupid shinpads".

The Slovenian has often been used from the bench this season having nursed the issue during the summer, but the striker was absent for the draw at Fulham after aggravating the issue in the Carabao Cup loss to Brighton.

Sesko has by no means been a regular starter this term, a decision that has raised eyebrows given United's lack of genuine cover in that position, but missing the game at Craven Cottage meant Michael Carrick couldn't turn to him when he sought an equaliser.

Rooney has been left bemused by the situation and the club's record goalscorer suggested the injury would not have been enough for him to sit out of the game. He said on his podcast Stick to United: "Shin? Has he broken it?' said Rooney. 'You can hurt your shin, you can take tackles... I bet he's wearing them little stupid shinpads as well."

Rooney went on to add: "If you're trying to play No9 [for Man United] and you've got a must-win game and you've got a sore shin and you're not playing... that's a big part of the problem."

> "Unless you physically can't play, you play when you're injured. I remember before games we used to get injections and the doctor used to put them in your arse."

United were able to rescue a point in west London after falling behind initially, but it still leaves Carrick with one win from his opening five games and pressure already building as the Red Devils sit 12th.

With the club game taking a pause for the first international break of the campaign Sesko will be afforded some time to recover. The 23-year-old has withdrawn from Slovenia's squad for two Nations League matches against Scotland, plus their other games against North Macedonia and Switzerland.

"Manchester United can confirm that Benjamin Sesko has withdrawn from the Slovenia squad ahead of the upcoming three-week international break," a United statement said. "Benjamin will undergo tests this week before defining his individual recovery plan."

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