As Benjamin Sesko misses the upcoming fixtures for Slovenia, manager Bostjan Cesar has questioned Manchester United’s handling of the striker’s fitness.
The 22-year-old had an encouraging first season with the Red Devils but it ended disappointingly as he sat out the final three games of the campaign through injury.
That left his goal tally at 12 in 32 games across all competitions, including some vital contributions as he scored winning goals over Fulham and Everton in February.
Sesko was on the scoresheet again earlier this month against Liverpool but was taken off at half-time in the game at Old Trafford.
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United boss Michael Carrick later confirmed it was due to a painful blow to an ongoing shin injury and the striker did not feature again this season after being taken off against the Reds.
Cesar has now accused Manchester United of mismanaging Sesko and playing him when he is not near full fitness.
‘He missed the last assembly in March and then I kind of wanted him to be absent from United for a while, but then he came back quickly and I don’t think he missed a game for the club,’ said the Slovenia manager ahead of friendlies against Cyprus and Croatia.
‘But if a player hasn’t been in a competitive rhythm for a month, then I don’t see the point in him coming and playing at half-strength.’
He added: ‘In cases of injuries, the national team receives all the documentation, and then we decide together with their doctors what is best.’
Speaking ahead of the goalless draw with Sunderland, which followed the 3-2 victory over Liverpool. Carrick said: ‘Ben’s been carrying a shin problem for some time and he took another quite a big bang on it, obviously he had to come off last week, so he wasn’t ready today.’
Slovenia are not playing at this summer’s World Cup after failing to qualify, finishing third in their group behind Switzerland and Kosovo.
Their campaign saw them scored just three goals in their six games, winning none of them.
Sesko has 16 goals in 45 caps for his country and will hope to be back in international action in September when Slovenia’s Nations League campaign starts against Scotland.
Sesko found his goal-scoring form when Michael Carrick took interim charge of Manchester United in January and will be thrilled to see him take the job on a permanent basis.
‘He’s an amazing coach,’ Sesko said of the Englishman.
‘He’s brought different energy and also the way we’re doing the training is unbelievable. I would like to have him here.’