Benjamin Sesko return date confirmed as Man Utd release four-player injury update | Football | Sport

“He is going to stay a few weeks out,” explained Amorim. “I don’t know how long but it is not that serious. We have to be careful with him.

“He is going to recover. He is doing the recovery and he is feeling better, so we expect in a few weeks to have him back.

“I think it is going to be more or less he will be back at the same time as Amad and [Bryan] Mbeumo leave for AFCON. I don’t want to say for sure, but when they are going to the camp I expect to have Ben back.”

Amorim was also quizzed on the availability of Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo ahead of Monday’s game against Everton, with United hoping to extend their five-game unbeaten run.

“Maguire is not ready,” added the United boss. “Kobbie didn’t train today but I think tomorrow we could see Kobbie, so we will see.”

He additionally revealed that Lisandro Martinez is ‘close’ to returning to the pitch, with the defender having been absent since February.

Martinez was stretchered off in tears during United’s home game against Crystal Palace last season. It later transpired that he had suffered a serious knee ligament injury and would be sidelined for many months.

In recent weeks, the 27-year-old has stepped up his training regime and is nearing a long-awaited return to match fitness. It remains to be seen if he will be involved in any capacity against Everton on Monday night.

Looking ahead to the period over Christmas, when United will be without their African internationals, Amorim added: “We have rules when we have to release players, we will see.

“We are doing our job, trying to maintain the players a little longer, but it is not in our hands. We will try to do everything to protect the club, protect the players and protect the national team.

“I think they will leave two weeks before the start [of AFCON], so we will try to get something with the federations but we will need to respect their wills in this case.”