Bijol defends Sesko after Scholes and Butt question Manchester United striker's shin injury

Slovenia defender Jaka Bijol has publicly defended Benjamin Sesko after Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt questioned the legitimacy of the striker’s shin injury, which ruled him out of Saturday’s Premier League defeat to Fulham and subsequently the international break.

Manchester United confirmed on Monday night that Sesko had withdrawn from the Slovenia squad, releasing a statement that read: “Benjamin will undergo tests this week before defining his individual recovery plan.” Manager Michael Carrick had already indicated the forward was being monitored after missing the Fulham fixture with shin discomfort.

Despite the club’s announcement, Scholes and Butt raised doubts on their podcast, The Good, The Bad and The Football. Scholes said: “If it isn’t broken, just wear your shin pads,” with Butt adding: “You’re a player — you either break your shin or you play!”

Bijol was quick to push back. “I hope and believe that Beni knows how to distance himself from this kind of pressure,” the Slovenia international said. “When things aren’t going your best on the pitch and you have certain doubts, reading things like this can make your confidence even worse. He shouldn’t pay too much attention to it, since we all know what quality he has. He himself knows what kind of footballer he is, and I think he always shows it with incredible things on the pitch.”

Sesko himself addressed the situation on Tuesday, posting a statement in Slovenian on Instagram. “I am very sorry that I will have to miss the national team’s upcoming matches,” he wrote. “I have always played for Slovenia — and always will — with heart and pride. Right now, the most important thing is to focus fully on my recovery. I am already working on getting back on the pitch as soon as possible to help both the national team and my club once again.”

Scholes and Butt also used the podcast to criticise Carrick’s tactical decision to deploy Matheus Cunha as a false nine against Fulham, arguing the Brazilian is considerably less effective in that role than in his more natural position.

Sesko will have the duration of the international break to recover, with Manchester United’s next Premier League fixture against Tottenham scheduled for 10 October.