Manchester United and Bournemouth could be without as many as nine players collectively for this weekend's Premier League match at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick heads into Sunday's 2pm kick-off without a win in his team's last seven matches across all competitions.
Pressure mounts after Champions League defeat
A 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday evening has intensified scrutiny on the head coach, with Cesc Fabregas' side controlling the game throughout. United sit 13th in the Premier League standings with just one win from their opening seven matches.
Bournemouth, managed by Marco Rose, are a point and two places below United in the table, also having won only once in the same number of games. However, a 3-0 win over AC Milan in the Europa League on Thursday has boosted their confidence.
Injury list hits both squads
Carrick faces a lengthy absentee list. Benjamin Sesko is out with a shin injury, while Kobbie Mainoo will miss the fixture due to a muscular issue. Carrick confirmed earlier this week that Mainoo could face up to 10 days on the sidelines, meaning he is likely to return against Chelsea in a week's time.
Luke Shaw is expected to be out longer, with the full-back not expected back until early November through an undisclosed injury. Patrick Dorgu also misses out due to a thigh injury picked up during the recent international break, while Manuel Ugarte is not expected to return to playing until 2027 after sustaining an ACL injury at the World Cup while representing Uruguay.
Returning players offer boost
United should welcome back several players this weekend. Lisandro Martinez did not travel for the Como match but could be back to full fitness to face Bournemouth, while Marcus Rashford could also return following a hip knock. Ayden Heaven has missed the last two matches due to illness, but Carrick has since told MUTV that the youngster is back with the first-team having recovered.
Bournemouth also carry injuries. Alex Toth is expected to be out for a couple of weeks through a hamstring injury, while Alex Scott continues to recover from a thigh issue, expected to be back next month. Julian Araujo has no clear return date yet, and Veljko Milosavljevic is expected back to fitness in November but will not play this weekend. Eli Junior Kroupi is expected to be on the bench, having not featured from the start at the Theatre of Dreams.
