Manchester United play AC Milan in their final pre-season match today, with manager Michael Carrick hoping his players emerge unscathed ahead of the Premier League opener at Hull in one week. The club already has several injury concerns, including Benjamin Sesko, who has not featured in pre-season, and Mason Mount, who missed the last two friendlies.
Long-term absentees
United are guaranteed to be without a couple of long-term absentees against Hull next week. Matthijs de Ligt has not played since November after undergoing back surgery. He is back training on grass and travelled to the Republic of Ireland for the training camp, but there is no word on his return.
Manuel Ugarte suffered a knee ligament injury in Uruguay's World Cup defeat to Spain in June. He posted on social media: "Suffering the most serious injury a footballer can face in one of the most important matches in my country's history, and seeing it end this way without being able to stay on the pitch and support my team-mates until the final whistle, is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Hitting rock bottom will make me stronger in every sense, and I truly believe that's the case here. Without a doubt, when life wants you to stop, it finds a way to let you know. It's up to me to take the positives from this. Success in life is about starting again every time you fall."
Mount and Sesko doubts
Mason Mount walked off less than 20 minutes into the PSG clash, but fears were eased when he was seen walking without a limp. However, he has missed the Leeds friendly and is not in the squad for today's match. He will not start against Hull, but could make the squad.
Benjamin Sesko picked up a shin injury in the win over Liverpool in early May. The plan was for him to feature in a late pre-season friendly, but his absence from the Milan squad means that target has been missed. Bryan Mbeumo is set to start against Hull, and Sesko may hope for a place in the squad for the Ipswich game.
Heaton and Darlow updates
Tom Heaton will learn the extent of his hamstring injury next weekend, but faces several weeks out. The injury looked innocuous when he was replaced by Dermot Mee against PSG, but it has proved more serious.
Karl Darlow has been recovering from a pre-existing issue since signing, but it is not thought to be serious, even though he has yet to feature in a friendly squad. Possible return dates: Mount and Darlow for Hull on August 22, Sesko for Ipswich on August 30, Heaton for Everton on September 6, and Ugarte in 2027.
