Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko has become the latest player caught in the increasingly tense battle between club and country after Slovenia manager Bostjan Cesar publicly questioned the handling of the forward’s injuries throughout the season.

The Slovenian coach expressed frustration over Sesko’s repeated absences from international duty, suggesting that the 22-year-old may have been rushed back into action for Manchester United while being unavailable for his national team commitments.

Sesko is set to miss Slovenia’s upcoming June friendlies against Cyprus and Croatia after aggravating a shin injury during United’s clash with Liverpool earlier this month. The injury occurred after the striker collided heavily with advertising hoardings during the match, leaving him in visible discomfort and ultimately ruling him out for the final three games of Manchester United’s season.

While Cesar accepted the decision to withdraw Sesko from the latest international squad, he openly questioned the circumstances surrounding the striker’s previous absence in March. At that time, Manchester United medical staff had reportedly advised that Sesko should not participate in Slovenia’s fixtures against Hungary and Montenegro because the player was still recovering from the same shin issue.

However, what frustrated the Slovenian coaching staff was the fact that Sesko still featured for Manchester United in club matches against Bournemouth and Leeds United either side of the international break. To many within Slovenia’s camp, the situation created the impression that the player was considered fit enough for club football but not for representing his country.

The controversy has added to growing concerns in Slovenia, where supporters and football officials have started questioning whether their star forward is being overprotected by his club at the expense of the national team.

This marks the third consecutive international call-up Sesko has missed. Back in November, he was also unavailable for Slovenia’s matches against Kosovo and Sweden due to a knee problem. As a result, the striker has not played for his country since October 13, despite appearing in 32 of Manchester United’s 40 matches across all competitions this season.

The repeated absences have naturally fueled debate among fans and media in Slovenia, particularly given Sesko’s status as the nation’s most valuable footballing talent. Many supporters fear that international football is slowly becoming secondary to the demands of elite club competition.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Cesar addressed growing speculation surrounding Sesko’s commitment to the national team after journalists asked whether the striker was now only available for major competitive fixtures.

The Slovenia boss attempted to calm concerns while still making his frustrations clear. Cesar explained that he had initially hoped Sesko would remain sidelined longer for Manchester United if he was truly unfit to represent his country during the March international break.

“He missed the last national team gathering in March,” Cesar explained. “Then I expected him to be absent for Manchester United matches for some time as well. But shortly afterward he returned very quickly and practically did not miss games for the club.”

The coach emphasized that he did not want players joining the national team if they were physically unable to perform at full intensity. According to Cesar, bringing injured players into camp only creates unnecessary risks and complications for everyone involved.

“If a player has not been in proper competitive rhythm for a month, then there is no reason for him to come and play at half-strength,” he added.

Despite the public criticism, sources close to the situation insist Sesko himself remains deeply committed to representing Slovenia and has not tried to avoid international duty. In fact, the striker reportedly made efforts to stay connected with the squad even while injured.

During the March international window, Sesko travelled to Ljubljana to spend time with the national team despite being unable to train fully. The visit was viewed positively by Slovenian staff members, who appreciated the player’s willingness to remain involved with the group and support his teammates.

The striker also recently attended an event involving the Slovenian ambassador to the United Kingdom, further reinforcing his ties to his homeland amid growing scrutiny over his absences.

Privately, those close to Sesko say the player has become increasingly frustrated by the constant debate surrounding his fitness. Sources suggest he feels trapped between the expectations of his country and the intense demands placed upon him at Manchester United following his massive £73.7 million move to Old Trafford last summer.

The young striker arrived in England carrying enormous expectations after establishing himself as one of Europe’s brightest attacking talents. United viewed Sesko as a long-term solution to their striker problems, investing heavily in the Slovenian international despite competition from several elite European clubs.

Although his debut season has shown flashes of brilliance, injuries have repeatedly interrupted his momentum. Shin problems, knee issues, and muscular fatigue have limited his consistency, leading Manchester United’s medical staff to closely monitor his workload throughout the campaign.

According to insiders at Old Trafford, the club has been particularly cautious with Sesko because of concerns over long-term complications. United reportedly believe that overplaying the striker at such a young age could jeopardize both his development and future availability.

Nevertheless, tensions between clubs and national teams over player fitness are becoming increasingly common in modern football, especially as schedules continue to grow more demanding.

Managers of international sides frequently feel powerless when dealing with elite clubs, particularly when players are competing in the Premier League or Champions League. National team coaches often complain that clubs pressure players to prioritize domestic football while limiting their availability for international matches.

At the same time, clubs argue they invest enormous sums into players and therefore have the right to carefully manage their fitness throughout exhausting seasons packed with travel and high-intensity fixtures.

Cesar’s comments appear to reflect that wider frustration. Since taking over as Slovenia manager in January, the former defender has attempted to establish stronger communication with players and clubs alike. However, he warned earlier this year that Slovenia would not allow itself to be “pushed around” regarding player availability decisions.

Still, despite his concerns, Cesar also acknowledged that communication with Manchester United over Sesko’s latest injury had been professional and cooperative. The Slovenia boss confirmed that both medical teams had shared documentation and discussed the best course of action before deciding the striker should remain in England for rehabilitation.

“In situations involving injuries, the national team receives all medical reports,” Cesar explained. “Then together with the club doctors we make decisions about what is best for the player.”

Manchester United, meanwhile, are expected to continue carefully managing Sesko’s recovery during the summer ahead of a crucial second season at Old Trafford. The club views the striker as a central figure in their long-term rebuilding project and hopes a full pre-season will finally allow him to showcase his full potential.

Despite the ongoing controversy, those close to Sesko insist there is no breakdown in his relationship with Slovenia. The player reportedly remains proud of representing his country and hopes to return for upcoming competitive fixtures once fully fit.

However, the latest dispute has once again highlighted the increasingly fragile relationship between international football and the modern club game. As financial stakes continue rising and fixture calendars become even more crowded, players like Sesko are finding themselves caught in the middle of competing priorities.

For now, Slovenia must prepare for their June matches without their biggest star, while Manchester United supporters will hope the extra recovery time helps Sesko finally overcome the injury setbacks that have disrupted his promising first season in England.