Respite has been in short supply for Manchester United this season.

On-field performances have been disastrous, players have publicly lambasted club staff and, just to make matters even worse, injuries have poured fuel on a growing dumpster fire. When it rains, it pours—as those familiar with the Manchester climate know all too well.

The latest setback amid the ongoing crisis comes from the treatment room, as Benjamin Šeško’s return from a nagging shin injury has been reportedly delayed until January . That leaves the misfiring Joshua Zirkzee as the only orthodox striker available for the Red Devils, which is an alarmingly bleak prospect.

Šeško’s 12-goal debut season offered encouragement that United had finally clinched their long-term No. 9 after painful experiences with Zirkzee and Rasmus Højlund. Despite his worrying injury record, the Slovenian sharpshooter remains part of the club’s vision of a brighter future.

But nobody can deny United’s need for reinforcements.…