Carrick Provides Injury Update as United Prepares for Hull Opener

Manchester United will begin the 2026/27 Premier League season with optimism tempered by a crowded treatment room – but Michael Carrick insists some key pieces are finally edging back into place.

The United head coach confirmed that Benjamin Sesko, Mason Mount and Matthijs de Ligt are all nearing returns ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime trip to Hull City, even if only one of them has a realistic chance of involvement.

Mount “touch-and-go” for opener

Mount’s situation sits on the borderline. The midfielder picked up a minor issue during pre-season and has been carefully handled since.

“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. There's no drama,” Carrick said. “It's maybe, it's been a week or so, 10 days or whatever it's been. So it's nothing major.”

Mount missed training earlier in the week and, despite only a short spell on the sidelines, is expected to sit this one out as United avoid early-season risks with a long campaign ahead.

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

The sight of de Ligt training again at Carrington offered a clear lift. The defender has been out for a “long period of time” and only recently rejoined full sessions.

“Matthijs has obviously been out for a long period of time, but he's training, and it's great to have him back,” Carrick said. “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.”

The message is clear: de Ligt is not ready for Hull, but his recovery has turned a corner.

Sesko steps up, minutes on the horizon

Sesko, another who finished last season in the medical room, has also reappeared on the training pitch and is pushing towards match action.

“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 explained.

Whether those minutes arrive at Hull or in the games that follow remains to be seen, but the tone around the striker is distinctly upbeat.

Darlow back, Ugarte and Heaton ruled out

Summer signing Karl Darlow has shaken off his own issue and is now training again. The goalkeeper could take a place on the bench as cover, giving Carrick another option in a position that has already seen change.

Manuel Ugarte and Tom Heaton, though, are set to miss the opener, adding to the list of absentees as United try to launch their campaign with a patched-up squad.

Hull hit by injuries of their own

If United arrive short-handed, Hull City hardly stroll into the curtain-raiser at full strength. Sergej Jakirovic is expected to be without eight players, including four summer arrivals.

Jack Butland, Oscar Zambrano, Joe Gelhardt and Hidemasa Morita all carry problems into the new season. Morita has at least returned to training and could force his way into contention, but the more realistic plan is for the midfielder to make his debut in the Carabao Cup next week.

Both managers, then, walk into opening day juggling line-ups and medical bulletins. Whoever adapts quicker might just set the tone for their season.