Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko withdraw from international duty

Manchester United forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko have withdrawn from international duty with fitness issues.

United expect both forwards to be available for their next match, at home to Leeds United in the Premier League on April 13.

Neither Mbeumo’s Cameroon or Sesko’s Slovenia qualified for the upcoming World Cup but have scheduled friendlies in the March international break.

United confirmed on Monday, however, that 22-year-old Sesko had withdrawn from contention “to ensure that he fully recovers from an issue” that the club has been managing in recent weeks while Mbeumo, 26, will also miss out as a “precaution”.

Both of United’s joint top league scorers featured in Friday’s 2-2 draw to Bournemouth, with Sesko replacing Mbeumo in the 71st minute. The Slovenian has made 26 Premier League appearances this season, scoring nine goals.

Mbeumo has also been a key fixture of the starting line-up, matching his team-mate’s goal tally despite going to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Cameroon over December and January.

After coming through France’s youth sides, he has scored seven goals in 32 games for Cameroon, including one at AFCON, while Sesko has scored registered 16 senior international goals in 45 games for Slovenia.

The club also confirmed that Noussair Mazraoui will join Morocco for their friendlies against Ecuador and Paraguay, having recovered from an illness.

United are third in the Premier League with seven games remaining, one point above Aston Villa in fourth.