Manchester United have been hit with a number of new injuries during the international break, adding to the pressure on Michael Carrick as he prepares for a crunch Premier League fixture against Tottenham.
The Red Devils have taken just five points from a possible 15 in the Premier League this season and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup. Five players have been added to the injury list since the break began.
Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford updates
Bruno Fernandes was withdrawn in the 90th minute of Portugal’s Nations League meeting with Wales, replaced by Joao Neves. Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus revealed Fernandes had come into the break managing a “complicated” pre-existing injury.
“The medical team identified these two players as the most concerning, Nuno Mendes could be available for the game,” Jesus said. “The other case [Fernandes] involves treatment and recovery time. He’s coming off an injury at United, and he told me he’s been playing with that pain for the last three games, which is hindering him. It was one of the factors that prevented Bruno from playing at his best against Wales.”
Fernandes missed Portugal’s next match against Norway, but Jesus is optimistic he will feature against Denmark. Marcus Rashford picked up a minor injury in the latter stages of United’s draw at Craven Cottage and dropped out of England duty. Carrick said after the Fulham match: “We had to bring him off, as he had a bit of an issue. I'm not sure [if he's alright].”
Mainoo, Dorgu and other concerns
Kobbie Mainoo withdrew from England’s squad for the international break, though no clear reason was given and he is not thought to be injured. Patrick Dorgu started for Denmark against Wales but went down off the ball with half an hour played and hobbled off, appearing to have suffered a hamstring problem.
Amad Diallo is yet to feature this season after an ankle injury in the summer, but Carrick suggested he was weeks away from returning. Benjamin Sesko has suffered a reaggravation of the shin injury that kept him out of the latter stages of last season. Carrick confirmed: “It was a pain in his shin. We’re not sure with him yet. He felt a bit of pain after the game. We’re assessing him. He definitely wasn’t ready for today.”
Long-term absentees and potential return dates
Matthijs de Ligt is approaching a full year on the sidelines with a back injury sustained at Crystal Palace in November 2025, but travelled to Fulham with his team-mates. Karl Darlow dropped out of the Wales squad citing injury, and Manuel Ugarte remains in recovery after surgery on a torn ACL. Tom Heaton has been absent all season with a hamstring injury sustained in a pre-season friendly against Paris Saint-Germain.
Potential return dates: Bruno Fernandes could return on October 1 against Denmark; Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt and Benjamin Sesko could return for the Tottenham match on October 10. Patrick Dorgu, Karl Darlow and Tom Heaton have unknown return dates, while Manuel Ugarte is not expected back until spring or summer 2027.
