Femi Seriki injury leaves Sheffield United facing a right-back rethink

Femi Seriki’s season-ending injury has left Sheffield United facing a rethink at right-back, just as Chris Wilder had welcomed the defender back into his plans.

Seriki had been on the pitch for only a few minutes at Charlton on Saturday when he went down and required treatment. He was later taken off on a stretcher during United’s 2-1 defeat.

The immediate concern is his recovery. For Wilder, the football problem is how to cover a position which had already required several adjustments.

What Wilder said about the Femi Seriki injury

Wilder said the club doctor had identified a patellar tendon rupture, according to The Star’s post-match report. The manager described it as a season-ending injury and said Seriki would receive the best available care.

The defender had only recently returned from an earlier knee problem. Saturday’s attempted comeback therefore ended before United could properly benefit from having him available again.

Who can cover at right-back?

The Star’s Monday follow-up explains that Hamza Choudhury had been covering the role while Matt Doherty struggled for fitness. Wilder’s decision to withdraw Choudhury at Charlton was linked to his booking, rather than another injury.

Japhet Tanganga moved to right-back after Seriki went off. That provided an immediate solution, but using him there also changes the options available elsewhere in the defence.

The distinction matters. United can cover the position for a match without necessarily having settled the best approach for several months.

Does the setback change January plans?

That is a question for the club rather than a confirmed transfer decision. Seriki’s absence makes the balance between existing cover and a specialist addition more pressing, but there is no verified new signing or agreed target in this report.

Before the window opens, Wilder must work with the players available and decide which arrangement gives United the most dependable balance.

Sky Sports’ match report records Matty Godden’s late winner for Charlton. The result and Seriki’s injury left United with separate problems to address during the international break.

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