Manchester United's Squad Update Ahead of Premier League Opener

Michael Carrick heads into Manchester United’s Premier League opener at Hull with a familiar feeling for any modern manager: progress on the training pitch, questions in the treatment room.

Sesko steps back into the frame

The headline boost is Benjamin Sesko. The striker, who didn’t play a single minute in pre-season while nursing a shin problem, is finally back in full training at Carrington and pushing to be involved on Saturday.

He carried the issue through last season, only for it to flare up during the win over Liverpool at Old Trafford in May. That setback cost him the entire summer schedule, as United played six pre-season games without him while he stayed behind to recover.

He won’t start at Hull. Carrick is clear Sesko lacks the match fitness for that. But simply having him available again changes the feel of United’s forward options.

“Ben [Sesko] 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.

Mount a doubt, but no panic

Mason Mount is the big question mark.

Initially, his issue was described as just a knock. If he misses out again this weekend, he will have sat out three games, including two friendlies, at a time when he badly needs rhythm after several disrupted seasons.

Carrick, though, refused to turn it into a saga.

“We are managing Mason [Mount] a little bit, but he's very close, so it's touch-and-go for the weekend really, if not going into next week,” he explained.

He then doubled down on his faith in the midfielder.

“I think, first of all, Mason is a top player. Top player. I think we've seen that so far pre-season. He was one of our best players in the early stages in the games that he played in. I thought he was fantastic.

“And he's picked up a little bit of a knock. There's no drama… it's nothing major. Yeah, of course, he's missed some football over recent years and he wants to be fit, he wants to be in that full rhythm, and he wants to stay fit.

“So we're doing our best to help him do that, but he's a top player, Mason. It's the same as the group. We've got to manage the squad. There's going to be injuries through the season.

“We've got to have a squad that's strong enough to have a really good top starting team with the depth to carry us through the season. Mason will be back very, very soon, if not immediately, so it's all good.”

Touch-and-go for Hull, but clearly central to Carrick’s plans for the months ahead.

De Ligt ruled out, Darlow ready

At the back, Matthijs de Ligt will not be involved at the weekend despite a welcome return to the grass.

The defender is working his way back from back surgery and has rejoined training, but United are refusing to rush the final phase of his recovery.

“Matt [De Ligt] has obviously been out for a long period of time, but he's training and great to have him back. 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 to have him back,” Carrick said.

New signing Karl Darlow, by contrast, is in contention after a full week’s work.

“Yeah, Karl [Darlow] has trained this week. He's back training, so he's in good shape,” Carrick confirmed, leaving the door open for the goalkeeper to make the squad for the trip to the MKM Stadium.

United return to Hull, and to business

This will be United’s first visit to Hull since 2017, a reminder of how long the Tigers have been away. They forced their way back into the Premier League last season via the play-offs, ending nine years in the second tier and setting up a daunting opening-day test.

Carrick, though, sounded energised rather than wary.

“As you'd expect, really looking forward to another season, you know,” he said. “They come thick and fast, so it's about making the most of everything that's in front of us really.

“And really encouraged with the work we've done in pre-season on the training ground, mostly in the games I think's been really good. So yeah, very much looking forward to the first game and a tough one on Saturday.”

Sesko edging back, Mount on the brink, De Ligt not quite ready, Darlow waiting for a chance. The pieces are moving. Now Carrick has to find a starting XI that can turn a promising pre-season into a statement on opening day.