Sesko and De Ligt Return to Training for Manchester United
On the eve of the Premier League’s return, Manchester United finally had the sight they’d been waiting months to see: Benjamin Sesko and Matthijs de Ligt back in full training, moving freely, no restrictions, no caveats.
For De Ligt, it marked the end of a long, frustrating road. The Dutch defender joined the full group for the first time since undergoing back surgery in May, an operation that followed the injury he suffered last November. Since 30 November he has been out of United’s plans and, cruelly, out of the World Cup as well.
Last week in Dublin he managed just 15 minutes of the team session before stepping out. This time he stayed. This time he completed it. For a coaching staff piecing together their plans on the eve of a new season, that matters.
Sesko’s return carries its own significance. The forward missed all of United’s pre-season games while recovering from a lower leg injury, one that had already ruled him out of the final three matches of last season. He spent the summer largely on his own, working individually on the grass, building rhythm without the ball and patience without the crowd.
On Tuesday morning, the work finally showed. Sesko looked sharp in the full session, moving with the kind of intent that quickly caught the eye. Inside the club there is genuine optimism he could make the squad for the season opener away to Hull City next Saturday. From rehab to the matchday sheet in a matter of days – that’s the target now.
Mount Sits Out, But Fears Eased
Not everyone was out there. Mason Mount watched from the sidelines, the notable absentee from the group. He took a stamp on his foot in the 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in Stockholm, leaving him with a painful bruise and the medical staff with a decision to make.
For now, the decision is caution. Mount has already missed the final friendlies under Michael Carrick, against Leeds United and Milan, and he sat out again on Tuesday. Club sources, speaking to British outlet The Sun, were clear that his absence is purely precautionary. No major damage, no looming crisis – just a player being protected with a long season ahead.
Transfer Plans Still Live as Window Ticks Down
While the medical room offers some rare good news, the recruitment team remains busy. United still intend to complete new business before the summer window shuts and are targeting at least two more signings.
Left-back is a priority. Several options are under consideration, but Lewis Hall is viewed inside the club as the preferred choice to strengthen that flank. The search does not stop there.
United also want a high-calibre defensive midfielder to anchor the side alongside new arrivals Youri Tielemans and Andre Santos. The idea is clear: add power and presence in front of the back line, give the team a stronger spine, and ensure that the returning De Ligt and the potentially debut-ready Sesko are stepping into a squad built to compete, not just cope.
With the Premier League about to roar back into life, United’s plans are finally starting to take shape. The question now is simple: can the club turn this timely surge in fitness and late-window ambition into a season that actually lives up to it?
