Michael Carrick has provided an injury update on several Manchester United players ahead of their Premier League season opener against Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.
United's final pre-season friendly against Milan in Wroclaw, Poland, ended in a 4-2 defeat, with multiple squad members missing that match, including Benjamin Sesko, Karl Darlow, Mason Mount, Matthijs de Ligt and Tom Heaton. Manuel Ugarte also remains a long-term absentee after sustaining a knee ligament injury while playing for Uruguay at the World Cup this summer.
Sesko Returns to Full Training
Benjamin Sesko has been absent throughout United's pre-season preparations due to a shin injury that cut short his debut season with the club in early May. The striker played through the issue last season before aggravating it during the win over Liverpool at Old Trafford. He has now returned to full training at Carrington this week.
Carrick said during his press conference on Thursday: "Ben [Sesko] is back training, so that's another positive. Looking forward to having him back around the group and getting him some minutes as well."
Darlow Back, Mount Close, De Ligt Out
Summer signing Karl Darlow has yet to make his United debut as he continues to recover from surgery at the end of last season. The former Leeds United goalkeeper played for them through to the expiry of his contract and also represented Wales in early June before being sidelined. Carrick said: "Karl has trained this week. He's back training, so he's in good shape."
Mason Mount sustained a foot injury during the 1-1 draw against Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month, limping off 20 minutes into that friendly in Gothenburg, Sweden. He has missed the two matches since. Carrick said: "We are managing Mason [Mount] a little bit, but he's very close, so it's touch-and-go for the weekend, really, if not going into next week."
Matthijs de Ligt is training again after back surgery earlier this year, having missed the final six months of last season. However, his first appearance since late November will not come on the opening day. Carrick said: "Matt [De Ligt] has obviously been out for a long period of time, but he's training and great to have him back. Well, he won't be involved, but he's in good shape and moving in a good direction."
Ugarte and Heaton Updates
Manuel Ugarte is United's sole long-term absentee to start this season after knee ligament surgery for an injury sustained while representing Uruguay at the World Cup. The club confirmed his operation was successful, adding that he "will now begin the rehabilitation stage of his recovery and will be carefully managed by the club's medical and performance staff." Ugarte said: "I'm incredibly grateful to Uruguay and Man Utd for being there for me from the moment it happened. A huge thank you as well to my family, my friends, and everyone who has sent me messages of support during this time. I'll be back stronger."
Tom Heaton is set to find out the extent of the injury sustained against PSG a fortnight ago, which has proved more serious than first suspected. Heaton faces at least a few weeks on the sidelines, making Darlow's return to training timely. Carrick sounded optimistic about Darlow being back on the bench against Hull this weekend.
