Rooney questions Sesko's mentality as Gabriel set to leave United for European giants

Wayne Rooney has publicly questioned Benjamin Sesko’s mentality after the Manchester United striker withdrew from Slovenia’s international squad with a shin injury, compounding a difficult period for a club sitting 12th in the Premier League without a league win since August.

Sesko missed United’s 1-1 draw at Fulham last Sunday with a shin complaint — a problem that has persisted since the end of last season — and subsequently pulled out of international duty. Former United midfielder Nicky Butt had already raised eyebrows on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, stating bluntly that “you either break your shin, or you play.” Rooney echoed that sentiment on the Stick to United podcast.

“Shin? Has he broken it? You can hurt your shin, you can take tackles,” Rooney said. “If you’re trying to play No. 9 [for United] and you’ve got a must-win game and you’ve got a sore shin and you’re not playing… that’s a big part of the problem. Unless you physically can’t play, you play when you’re injured. I remember before games we used to get injections and the doctor used to put them in your arse.”

Paul Scholes also voiced concern over the setback, with all three former players highlighting United’s severe lack of striker options as the context that makes Sesko’s absence particularly costly.

Adding to the club’s troubles, German outlet Bild has reported that academy prospect JJ Gabriel “will definitely leave United” and will depart by next summer at the latest. Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are all said to be interested in the teenager, who joined United in 2022 having previously spent time in the academies of Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham.

Gabriel had been viewed by many supporters as a potential long-term figurehead for the club, making the likely departure a bitter blow. His prospects of securing a move to one of those continental powerhouses are reportedly strengthened by his eligibility for an EU passport.

The international break gives manager Michael Carrick time to address United’s mounting problems. Their only Premier League win this season remains a 5-2 victory over Ipswich in August, and they have kept just one clean sheet across seven games in all competitions.