Marcus Rashford is pushing for his first start for Manchester United in many months as Michael Carrick prepares for the first home game of the new season against Ipswich Town. New signing Carlos Baleba must wait for his debut after picking up an ankle injury.
Rashford in line for recall
Carrick heads into the match at Old Trafford needing a result after a toothless 2-0 defeat at newly promoted Hull City. United came through that game without further injuries, but changes could still be made to the starting XI.
Rashford, who came off the bench last weekend, could be handed his first start after being reintegrated into the first-team squad. Out would come Patrick Dorgu, with Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes supporting lone front man Matheus Cunha.
Midfield options and injury list
Kobbie Mainoo is another pushing for a place in the team, with summer signings Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos failing to impress at Hull. Benjamin Sesko is still building up his fitness.
Baleba has joined from Brighton but is injured after sustaining an ankle problem during a pre-season training camp in Austria and will be sidelined for a few weeks. Tom Heaton, Matthijs de Ligt, Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte will also miss the fixture, with Mount a doubt.
Predicted lineup and match details
Manchester United predicted XI: Lammens; Mazraoui, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw; Mainoo, Tielemans; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Rashford; Cunha.
Injured: Amad Diallo, De Ligt, Baleba, Heaton, Ugarte. Doubts: Mount. The match kicks off at 4.30pm BST on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Old Trafford and will be shown on Sky Sports.
