Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has admitted Benjamin Sesco’s injury is “not too serious” ahead of a busy December schedule.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in five Premier League games, during which Amorim recorded their first consecutive league wins.
Man United spent around £200m on Sesco, Brian Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, and backed Amorim well in the summer transfer window.
Manchester United’s head coach was worried about Sesco, who was forced off with an injury in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham before the international break.
Asked about the health conditions of Sesco, Koby Mainu and Harry Maguire, Amorim told a press conference: “It’s not too serious. We need to be careful. We’ll have him in a few weeks.”
“Maguire isn’t ready. Koby Mainu didn’t train today, but I hope he does tomorrow.”
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Asked when Sesco would return, Amorim added: “More or less at the same time (as Brian Mbeumo and Amad Diallo leave for the African Cup of Nations), I don’t want to say for sure, but I think Ben will be back by the time they go to camp.”
On negotiations to allow Mbeumo (Cameroon) and Amad (Ivory Coast) to stay longer before they depart for African Cup of Nations duties: “We have rules about when players have to be released. We are trying to keep players a little longer, but we will see.”
“I think there are two weeks until the start of the tournament (on December 21st). I’ll try to make some arrangements with the federation.”
Lisandro Martinez recently returned to training from injury and Amorim was asked whether the Argentina international could play as a defensive midfielder for Man United.
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Amorim said: “I think a smart and intelligent footballer can play in many positions, but it’s not the position for him. In an emergency he can play. I feel Richa is close to being able to play. We have to be careful. Obviously he is in a better position.”
On whether Luke Shaw could play as a left wing-back rather than as one of the three centre-backs, Amorim continued: “He can play there. The workload a player does in that position is a little different. He’s ready for that. He’s a smart player.”
On his feelings after 12 months at Manchester United, Amorim said: “My first thought was that the environment in the Premier League was really different and I was excited about it. I knew straight away that I was going to struggle in some respects, but my feeling was that this is the best league in the world and probably the best club in the world.”
