Manchester United will be hoping for positive news when the Premier League returns this weekend, with five players on the treatment table ahead of the visit of Tottenham on Saturday. The Red Devils have picked up just five points from their first five league games, and a Carabao Cup exit to Brighton has added to Michael Carrick’s early-season problems.
Rashford and Mainoo expected to return
Marcus Rashford picked up a minor injury in the dying moments of United’s draw at Fulham last month and pulled out of England duty. He had landed awkwardly after a heavy tackle near the touchline.
“We had to bring him off, as he had a bit of an issue. I'm not sure [if he's alright],” Carrick said after the match. He is hoped to be fit for the Tottenham game on October 10.
Kobbie Mainoo also withdrew from England’s squad for the international break, but no clear reason was given and he is not thought to be injured. His workload is being managed after a heavy start to the season, and he is expected to feature against Spurs.
Dorgu and Sesko doubts
Patrick Dorgu is one of the biggest concerns. The winger started for Denmark against Wales but went down off the ball with half an hour played and limped off shortly after. He appeared to suffer a hamstring problem and has returned to United early for assessment.
Benjamin Sesko has suffered a flare-up of the shin injury that kept him out of the latter stages of last season and the start of this campaign. He had seemed back to full fitness after starting against Sabah but was a surprise absentee for the trip to Fulham.
Carrick said of the Slovenian: “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.”
De Ligt and others nearing returns
Matthijs de Ligt is approaching a full year out with a back injury sustained at Crystal Palace in November 2025. He underwent surgery in May and started a behind-closed-doors friendly against sister club Lausanne-Sport during the international break, raising hopes he could return soon.
Amad Diallo is yet to play this term after an ankle problem in pre-season, but there is optimism he could feature against Tottenham. Backup goalkeeper Karl Darlow dropped out of the Wales squad with an injury of unclear nature, while Manuel Ugarte remains in rehabilitation after ACL surgery and is set to miss most of the season. Tom Heaton has been absent all season with a hamstring injury sustained in a pre-season friendly against Paris Saint-Germain.
