Manchester United will be without Benjamin Sesko for a number of weeks as they return to Premier League action against Everton tonight.
Ruben Amorim’s side has been relatively injury free in recent weeks but one of their summer signings is now facing a spell on the sidelines.
Sesko was forced off late on in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham with a knee problem, prompting fears over the international break having also not joined up with the Slovenia squad.
The 22-year-old has avoided any serious damage but will not be available until mid-December at the earliest.
Speaking on Friday, Ruben Amorim was unable to put a specific timeline in place on the striker’s return – but does hope to have him available again by the time Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo head off on international duty for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Your ultimate guide to the football season
Metro’s football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it’s an open goal.
As it stands, the game against Bournemouth on 15 December could be their last game before jetting off to join up with the Ivory Coast and Cameroon squads respectively.
Until then, Matheus Cunha may be asked to operate through the middle as he has already done this season.
But the Brazil international is a doubt himself after it emerged he was involved in a ‘training ground accident’ that meant he was unable to attend a community event turning on Christmas lights in Altrincham on Saturday night.
The injury is thought to be a minor one and Cunha could still be available tonight. In any case, Joshua Zirkzee will also be an option to come in and start his first league game of the season.
Teenage striker Chido Obi may also be hopeful of earning more minutes with the first-team having made eight appearances under Amorim last season.
Harry Maguire has been ruled out of tonight’s game with an injury with Kobbie Mainoo also missing from training on Friday.
Lisandro Martinez is desperate to return to action having not featured since suffering his anterior cruciate ligament injury in February.
Amorim says the Argentina international is ‘close’ but provided no further details on when he plans to bring him back into the side.
Amorim’s side are unbeaten in their last five, needing a late equaliser from Matthijs de Ligt to rescue a point against Tottenham before the international break.
Man Utd XI to face Everton – Metro prediction
Zirkzee scored two goals in this fixture last season but Cunha could be given the nod ahead of him with Mason Mount coming back into the side.
Cunha, who has just one goal for his new club, started at centre forward ahead of Sesko in the first three games of the season, returning to the role in away games against Liverpool and Tottenham last time out.
But that will all depend on the nature of the mystery injury that emerged over the weekend.
Man Utd vs Everton TV channel and kick-off time
Manchester United vs Everton kicks off at 8pm on Monday 24 November.
You can watch the match live on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.