Manager Ruben Amorim has revealed that Benjamin Sesco will “take some time” before he is ready to return to Manchester United. The striker was injured against Tottenham before the November international break and has not played since. He was forced to miss United’s defeat to Everton earlier this week and is yet to return to full fitness.
This means Sesco will miss this weekend’s game against Crystal Palace as the Red Devils look to get back on a winning streak. Joshua Zirkzee played up front against Everton in the absence of Matheus Cunha, who was absent after sustaining a minor injury during training. However, Amorim admitted he expects Cunha to be involved and could return to action at Selhurst Park.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the United manager said: “Sesco will take a bit more time, but so will[Harry]Maguire. We expect Matheus to be back.”
United will be desperate to beat Palace after losing to a reduced-numbered Everton side, with Idrissa Gueye sent off for abusing teammate Michael Keane.
Keiynan Dewsbury-Hall scored the only goal of the game for the Toffees, but United were unable to fight back despite bringing on extra players.
Reflecting on the loss, Amorim said: “If you look at the game, we could have played better. We should have won that game. You have to feel that sense of urgency. Knowing that, you have to do everything the right way.”
“It’s the same thing we have to do to show the players why we lost control at Forest and Spurs. That game was meant to be won.”
“When we play at home, the intensity is higher, but in this game it wasn’t. It’s hard to point out one thing. We have an advantage in away games.”
Ahead of Sunday’s game against Palace, the United manager added: “We play in a different way and you can see that from the data. They’re a different club and they’re doing it better than us.”
“We’re playing differently, but they’re just doing things better than us. I played against him in Frankfurt and I’m inspired by everyone. I watch all the managers and I’ve been a manager for six years and I’m always trying to learn.”
“We need time to improve the characteristics of the team. It would have been enough to play with 10 men[against Everton]. These are the characteristics we are trying to change.”
“I don’t know how to read the stats on Palace players. You can’t compare them. Sometimes you want to change things a lot. Most of the time I put Amad on the right wing and he moves a lot.
“They’re doing really well. They play more in transition than we do. We have to look at all of these things, but in every position we can perform much better.”
