Michael Carrick is facing up to six absentees for Manchester United's Premier League opener at Hull City, with Benjamin Sesko, Mason Mount, and Matthijs de Ligt among those sidelined. An extended pre-season campaign has seen new signings make positive impressions, but two key players have been knocked out of contention, with another sidelined after an injury at the World Cup. There are also multiple injuries hanging over from last season, namely to Matthijs de Ligt.
Sesko and Mount remain doubts
Benjamin Sesko is still in recovery from a shin injury suffered while facing Liverpool towards the end of last season. The Slovenian striker had an unfortunate collision with the advertising hoardings after coming off worse in a fifty-fifty with Ibrahima Konate. That injury came in early May, and Sesko has sat out United's full pre-season programme. He is back in training, but Saturday's opener may come too soon, with a potential return date of August 30 vs Ipswich Town.
Mason Mount has been struck down with a foot injury against PSG and hooked with 20 minutes played, after putting in impressive performances next to Andrey Santos in a deeper midfield role. He has since missed friendlies against both Leeds and AC Milan. "He just got a kick," said Carrick after the PSG match. "So we just wanted [it] to be a precaution really, to look after him." Provided his absence from the Milan friendly was also out of caution, he could be fit to feature against Hull.
De Ligt nears return, Ugarte out long-term
Matthijs de Ligt has been sidelined with a back injury since November 2025, but finally seems to be approaching a return after undergoing surgery earlier this summer. He is back in team training, but no concrete update has been offered as to when he might return to competitive play, with a potential return date of autumn/winter 2026.
Manuel Ugarte ruptured his ACL representing Uruguay at the World Cup and was stretchered off during the match against Spain. He has since undergone surgery, writing on Instagram that he had 'hit rock bottom' and would 'be back stronger'. He has been pictured back at Carrington, but is not expected to feature any time soon, with an ACL rupture generally requiring a minimum of six months in recovery.
Goalkeeping concerns and other absentees
Karl Darlow signed for United from Leeds earlier this summer as a backup to Senne Lammens, but arrived with an unspecified minor injury. That has prevented him from playing any part in pre-season, but reports suggest the injury is not severe. Carrick will likely offer a more concrete update when he previews United's trip to Hull.
Tom Heaton is another United star to have picked up an injury during pre-season, with his coming against PSG. He is reportedly facing weeks out with a hamstring injury, but will soon undergo scans to determine the extent of the injury. Such a return timeline would see him miss the first couple matchdays of the Premier League season, with a potential return date of September 6 vs Everton.
