Manchester United return to Premier League action this weekend following the three-week international break, with Michael Carrick set to be without several key players for the clash against Tottenham. Some injured stars are also nearing a return.
United have taken just five points from their opening five games, a disappointing start to the campaign, and were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup last month. Pressure is building on Carrick, with a jam-packed fixture schedule in October and several injury blows suffered during the international break.
Forward and defender concerns
Benjamin Sesko missed the Carabao Cup clash against Brighton and was forced to withdraw from the Slovenia squad for the recent international break with a shin injury. Carrick said: "Ben's a little bit further away with the issue he's got, so he won't be ready." His potential return date is late October or early November.
Patrick Dorgu lasted only half an hour in Denmark's clash with Wales before withdrawing from the international squad with a thigh injury. Carrick said: "Patrick came off and looks like he'll be out for probably a number of weeks." His potential return date is late November or early December.
Midfield and defensive updates
Kobbie Mainoo withdrew from international duty with an unspecified issue but has trained this week. Carrick said: "Carlos [Baleba] has improved, he's trained a lot. Amad's done a little bit of training, Marcus has done a little bit of training, Kobbie's done a little bit of training." Mainoo's potential return date is against Tottenham on Saturday 10 October.
Matthijs de Ligt remains a long-term absentee with a back injury but could be closing in on a return. Carrick said: "Matta is just working his way back, really. So I don't want to, because of how it's been, put too much of a timeframe on it." His potential return date is November.
Wingers and goalkeepers
Marcus Rashford was taken off against Fulham with a knock and withdrew from England's international camp, but has trained this week. Amad has not featured in the Premier League this season after picking up a knock ahead of the curtain raiser against Hull City, but is nearing a return. Both have potential return dates against Tottenham on Saturday 10 October.
Noussair Mazraoui suffered a back injury while representing Morocco, having been substituted during their victory over Lesotho. Carrick said: "Nous came off and took a knock. He's not quite right yet, so we'll have to see how he is." His potential return date is unknown.
Manuel Ugarte suffered a knee ligament injury while representing Uruguay at the World Cup this summer, with a potential return date unknown. Karl Darlow, a summer recruit, has not yet featured following a minor operation in the off-season and withdrew from international duty with Wales, with a potential return in October. Tom Heaton picked up a hamstring injury before the season started, with a potential return date unknown.
