Manchester United are hopeful of having several key players back to full fitness as the new Premier League season approaches. Manager Michael Carrick is preparing his squad for the campaign, which starts later this month, but has had to manage a number of injury concerns during the final weeks of last season and throughout the summer.
Pre-season progress and recent friendly
United are in the midst of their pre-season preparations and recently secured a 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in a friendly in Stockholm. However, some important players missed that match as Carrick continues to deal with unavailable squad members.
Youri Tielemans
Summer signing Youri Tielemans missed Belgium's World Cup quarter-final defeat to Spain with an injury. Tielemans was signed for £35million after United activated his release clause at Aston Villa. He has since arrived at Carrington to start pre-season training, and United will hope to give him valuable minutes before the campaign begins.
Benjamin Sesko
Benjamin Sesko missed the final four matches for United last season with a shin injury and has returned to Carrington to work on his fitness over the last few weeks. He was not part of the squad for the last three pre-season friendlies, and The Sun have reported that United hope to have the striker available for the start of the Premier League campaign. It remains to be seen when United will give minutes to Sesko, but the striker is said to be "on track" with his recovery.
Lisandro Martinez
Lisandro Martinez suffered a muscle injury during Argentina's defeat to Spain in the World Cup final, casting doubt on his availability for United. It has been reported that United are confident Martinez will have recovered by the time the new Premier League season gets underway. Martinez has not yet returned to Carrington for pre-season due to an extended summer break following Argentina's run to the World Cup final.
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo is expected to be available for United in the near future after suffering an injury during the World Cup with England. Mainoo missed the bronze medal match against France last month but will be expected to return to Carrington soon as he builds up his fitness ahead of the return of Premier League football.
Matthijs de Ligt
Matthijs de Ligt has been recovering from a back injury that has kept him on the sidelines since November last year. The Sun has claimed that De Ligt is getting closer to a return but is not expected to be back in time to feature at the start of the season.
