Carrick Provides Injury Updates as United Prepare for Hull

Manchester United will launch their 2026/27 Premier League season at Hull City with a squad still patched together, but Michael Carrick insists the treatment room is finally beginning to empty.

The United head coach delivered encouraging updates on Benjamin Sesko, Mason Mount and Matthijs de Ligt, even if only one of that trio has a realistic chance of featuring at the MKM Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.

Mount “touch-and-go” for Hull

Mount’s situation is the most finely balanced. The midfielder picked up a minor issue during pre-season and has been carefully handled in recent weeks.

“We are managing Mason a little bit, but he's very close, so it's touch-and-go for the weekend really, if not going into next week,” Carrick said. “There's no drama… it's nothing major.”

Mount missed training earlier in the week and, despite only being out for a short spell, is more likely to sit out the opener than start it. United are wary of rushing him, with a long season stretching ahead.

De Ligt back on the grass – but not in the squad

The sight of De Ligt working on the grass at Carrington has lifted spirits. The defender has endured a lengthy lay-off dating back to last season and is only now edging towards full fitness.

“Matthijs has obviously been out for a long period of time, but he's training, and it's great to have him back,” Carrick explained. “Well, he won't be involved, but he's in good shape and moving in a good direction. So that's really a good bonus for us really at this stage.”

For now, United will have to wait. De Ligt’s return to full involvement is being staged, not rushed, with Carrick banking on him as a major figure later in the campaign.

Sesko steps up bid for minutes

Sesko is closer to the action. The striker, who also suffered an issue towards the end of last season, has rejoined full training and is pushing for involvement.

“Ben is back training. So that's again another positive. Looking forward to having him back around the group and getting him some minutes as well,” Carrick said.

Whether those minutes come at Hull or in the weeks that follow remains to be seen, but his return offers a timely boost to United’s attacking options.

Darlow back, Ugarte and Heaton ruled out

There is better news in goal. Summer signing Karl Darlow has shaken off his own injury concern and is back in training, putting him in contention for a place on the bench this weekend.

Manuel Ugarte and Tom Heaton, though, are expected to miss out, trimming Carrick’s options in midfield and in the goalkeeping department.

Hull hit by absentees of their own

United are not the only side juggling absences. Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic is set to be without eight players, including four of his new recruits.

Jack Butland, Oscar Zambrano, Joe Gelhardt and Hidemasa Morita all carry problems into the opening weekend. Morita has at least rejoined training and could yet be involved, but a more realistic target for his debut is next week’s Carabao Cup tie.

So United head to Hull with key names close but not quite ready, opponents equally depleted, and a new season waiting to test how quickly Carrick’s squad can turn promise on the training pitch into points on the board.