Manchester United Faces Injury Crisis Ahead of Ipswich Clash

Manchester United’s squad is already under strain as they look to shake off a miserable start to the Premier League season – and Ipswich Town’s visit to Old Trafford will arrive with both clubs patched up.

Between them, United and Ipswich are set to be without nine players for Sunday’s clash, a game that already carries an edge for Michael Carrick after that bruising 2-0 defeat to Hull City on the opening weekend. Hull, tipped by many for a relegation scrap, outworked and outplayed United. The reaction now has to be sharp.

United have since splashed out £70million on Carlos Baleba from Brighton and Hove Albion, a major midfield investment and a clear statement of intent. But the marquee signing will have to wait to make his mark.

United stretched as Carrick counts the cost

Carrick confirmed that Amad Diallo will not feature against Ipswich, the winger still nursing a minor injury picked up in training. He missed the loss at Hull and remains sidelined.

“Amad won't be involved, he'll be out for a little bit longer,” Carrick said, drawing a firm line under any hope of a quick return.

Mason Mount will also sit this one out, though there is at least a hint of optimism around the midfielder. After his own lay-off, he has stepped back into sessions at Carrington.

“Mase is back around the group, he trained this week, so a real positive,” Carrick explained. Encouraging, yes, but not enough to risk him in a game United can ill afford to lose.

The new man Baleba falls into the same category: close enough to talk about, not close enough to play. United knew he arrived with an ankle issue and Carrick made it clear the club will not rush him.

“He's got a little ankle issue, so maybe a couple of weeks or so, three weeks. We knew that before. It's no major issue. It'll be great to have him back,” the manager said. For now, the £70m signing will watch on as his new teammates try to steady the ship without him.

At the back, long-term absentee Matthijs De Ligt is edging towards the light. The Dutch defender has been out for an extended spell, but his workload is finally increasing.

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

It’s progress, but again, not in time for Ipswich.

Even the depth positions have taken a hit. Backup goalkeeper Tom Heaton remains unavailable after picking up an injury in the pre-season friendly against PSG. Carrick has not put a date on his return, leaving United to juggle options behind their first-choice keeper.

So United head into their Old Trafford home opener without Amad, Mount, Baleba, De Ligt and Heaton. For a side already under scrutiny, it is far from ideal.

Ipswich arrive as underdogs – but not unscathed

Ipswich, written off by many before a ball was kicked, ripped up the script on the opening weekend with a win over Sunderland. Gary O’Neil’s team arrive at Old Trafford with belief – and with their own injury list.

Four key squad members are missing for the Tractor Boys.

• Jaden Philogene, absent for the Sunderland victory, continues to struggle with an ankle problem and will not feature.
• Florentino Luis is also out, the midfielder still dealing with a calf injury that kept him out of the opener.
• Azor Matusiwa, another absentee from last weekend, remains sidelined with a thigh complaint.
• Jack Taylor, battling a knee issue, is still stuck in the treatment room and has yet to feature in the Premier League this season.

So both benches will look thinner than their managers would like. United, wounded and under pressure. Ipswich, fearless and already used to being doubted.

Old Trafford has seen enough early-season drama down the years. With nine players missing and one giant upset already in the books, this feels like another afternoon where the story could twist again.