Manchester United travel to Merseyside on Sunday to face Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Michael Carrick managing several injury concerns ahead of the fixture. The Red Devils have had a mixed start to the campaign, losing 2-0 to Hull City on the opening day before beating Ipswich Town at home last weekend.
Shaw and Mount expected to return
Luke Shaw was substituted after 73 minutes against Ipswich due to muscle tightness, but there are no serious concerns and he is expected to be fit to feature against Everton. Mason Mount has been absent since sustaining a foot injury during pre-season, yet Carrick has confirmed he is back in training and could be involved.
"Mase is back around the group, which was great. Trained this week, so that's a big positive for us," Carrick said.
Baleba and Amad still sidelined
Carlos Baleba, who arrived from Brighton and Hove Albion this summer in a deal worth up to £70million, has yet to make his first-team debut. The 22-year-old picked up a minor ankle ligament injury during pre-season and remains unavailable.
"He's got a little ankle issue. So, maybe a couple of weeks or so, maybe three weeks, we'll see. But we knew that before, so it's no major issue. It'll be great to have him back when we can," Carrick said at the end of August. His potential return date is mid-to-late September. Amad has also been missing following a muscular injury sustained in training, with no clear return date.
De Ligt, Heaton and Ugarte updates
Matthijs De Ligt has not played since last November due to a back injury. Carrick has confirmed the Dutch centre-back has resumed training, but the club are taking a cautious approach. "Matt's obviously been out for a long period of time, but he's training and great to have him back. He's in good shape and moving in a good direction. So that's really a good bonus for us, at this stage to have him back," he said last month.
Tom Heaton picked up a hamstring problem during pre-season, with his comeback date unclear. Manuel Ugarte suffered a ligament tear in his knee at the World Cup this summer while representing Uruguay and is not anticipated to feature again until next year, with a potential return in spring or summer 2027.
