Manchester United and Bournemouth could be missing up to nine players between them for this weekend's Premier League fixture at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick's side have not won in their last seven matches across all competitions, and a 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday night underlined the pressure on the manager.
United sit 13th in the Premier League table with just one win from their opening seven fixtures ahead of Sunday's 2pm kick-off. Bournemouth, managed by Marco Rose, are two positions and one point below United in the English top flight, also with only one victory from the same number of matches. The Cherries will arrive in good spirits after a 3-0 win over AC Milan in the Europa League on Thursday night.
United's injury list grows
Carrick's squad is depleted by injuries. Benjamin Sesko is sidelined with a shin injury, and Kobbie Mainoo is out with a muscular problem. Carrick said earlier in the week that Mainoo could be absent for up to 10 days, which would likely rule him out of the Chelsea match in a week's time. Luke Shaw is not expected to return until early November due to an undisclosed injury.
Patrick Dorgu is ruled out with a thigh injury sustained during the international break, while Manuel Ugarte is not expected to play again until 2027 after suffering an ACL injury at the World Cup while on duty with Uruguay.
Returns and Bournemouth absentees
United could welcome back Lisandro Martinez, who did not travel for the Como match but may be fit to face Bournemouth. Marcus Rashford could also return from a hip knock, and Ayden Heaven has rejoined the first-team squad after recovering from illness, as confirmed by Carrick to MUTV.
Bournemouth have their own injury concerns. Alex Toth is set to be sidelined for a fortnight with a hamstring problem, Alex Scott is recovering from a thigh complaint with a return expected next month, and Julian Araujo has no definitive comeback date. Veljko Milosavljevic is predicted to regain fitness in November but will not be available for this weekend's clash. Eli Junior Kroupi is likely to be named among the substitutes but will not start at Old Trafford.
