Rooney aims dig at Sesko's toughness as Man Utd striker says he is 'dedicated' to recovery

Benjamin Sesko says he is “fully dedicated” to his recovery as Wayne Rooney claims he should be playing through the pain at Manchester United.

The 23-year-old has been struggling with a shin problem which has been questioned by Rooney who believes he probably wasn't wearing proper shin pads.

“What’s his injury? His shin? Has he broken it? You can hurt your shin, take tackles,"said Rooney. “I bet he’s wearing those little stupid shin pads as well or he’s got shin splints or whatever."

And he continued: “If you’re at a football club like Manchester United and you’re trying to get in the team, play as the number nine and you’ve got a game before the international break which is a must-win game and you’ve got a sore shin… and you’re not playing.

“That’s a big part of the problem. You play when you’re injured unless you physically can’t play, you play when you’re injured.”

Sesko moved to Old Trafford from RB Leipzig last August in a deal worth 76.5million euros (£66.3m) plus 8.5m euros (£7.4m) in potential add-ons.

He scored 12 goals during a promising first campaign that was brought to an abrupt end by a shin injury in May, which ruled him out of all of United’s pre-season friendlies.

The striker managed to play a part in the first six games of the season, scoring twice, only for the recurrence of shin pain to rule him out of Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Fulham and international duty with Slovenia.

“I am very sorry that I will have to miss the next matches of the national team,” Sesko posted on Instagram.

“I have always played for Slovenia and will always play with heart and pride. The most important thing now is to fully dedicate myself to recovery.

“I am already working on getting back on the field as soon as possible and helping the national team and the club again.

“I believe in our boys, and I am sure that they will show the team spirit that has always adorned us this time.

“I can’t wait to be able to wear the jersey with the national emblem again and, until then, I will be Slovenia’s biggest fan.”

Slovenia host Scotland on Saturday and end the three-week international break with a trip to Hampden Park, with a home clash against North Macedonia and a trip to Switzerland in between, as the Nations League gets under way.

United are not back in action until October 10, when fellow strugglers Tottenham head to Old Trafford, before tough-looking trips to Atletico Madrid, Leeds and Como.

Sesko’s absence for those matches would be a major blow given Michael Carrick’s side failed to sign another out-and-out striker during the summer.

Asked whether United should have done so, given the current situation, the head coach said after the Fulham match: “No, I think that just because you get setbacks in certain positions, you can’t sign a player for cover in every one.

“We’re not sure with Ben yet, he felt some pain after the game (against Brighton in the Carabao Cup) and we are assessing him at the moment.

“He definitely wasn’t ready for (Sunday). I haven’t got any more news to give you, just that he felt pain on his shin.”

Sesko is one of four United players to have withdrawn from international duty. Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford pulled out of the England squad, while Karl Darlow did not not join up with Wales.

The Premier League club said: “Each of the players will be assessed and undergo individual recovery plans during the current three-week international break.”