Manchester United travel to Chelsea for the Premier League lunchtime kick-off this afternoon, hoping to end a run of eight matches without a win. Head coach Michael Carrick kept his job after crisis talks on Monday and will be looking for a response from his side at Stamford Bridge.
United have several injury concerns to manage ahead of the game, though Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven are available after returning in the defeat to Bournemouth. MEN Sport has assessed the fitness of six players who have been injured recently.
Long-term absence for Sesko
Benjamin Sesko is set for an extended spell on the sidelines after Carrick confirmed the news in his pre-match press conference. The forward is dealing with a shin problem, and the manager offered his sympathies.
"Yeah, unfortunately Ben looks like he's going to be out for a period of time. We're still not clear of exactly how long, but it's going to be for a longer period of time," Carrick said.
"It was the process, as I said to you before, we had to go through the process, a bit of a healing process for the injury to see how it would react and what direction to go with that. Even now we're still working through it. But it's unfortunate, obviously first and foremost, for Ben, for the kind of period that he's had, and tried to get through it and going through this again. And for us to not have him available is obviously a blow, but we'll try and get back, get him back as quick as we can."
Sesko is not expected to return until January.
Mainoo back in training, Rashford and Shaw doubts
Kobbie Mainoo is back with the group after a muscular issue. Carrick confirmed on Thursday: "Good news, Kobbie's done a little bit of training yesterday, so he's back in and around the group, so that's obviously a positive." He could be available for the Chelsea match on October 31.
Marcus Rashford has been managing a hip problem since missing the Como match, though Carrick did not provide an update on his fitness. His potential return date is November 3 against AS Roma.
Luke Shaw, whose injury has not been specified, was always expected to be out longer than Mainoo, suggesting he will not feature today. November is the earliest possible return date, with no new update from Carrick on Thursday.
Dorgu and Ugarte remain sidelined
Patrick Dorgu is struggling with a thigh injury picked up while on international duty with Denmark. November could be the earliest he returns to the team.
Manuel Ugarte remains out after suffering a serious knee injury at the World Cup. It is unclear whether he will play for United before the end of the season, with a potential return date of 2027.
