Manchester United ended a tough week on somewhat of a positive note, though victory over Como in the Champions League this week would lift the mood further.
United travel to Italy on the back of a 1-1 draw against Leeds at the weekend, a result that has stretched their winless run to six games across all competitions.
Lisandro Martinez
A few days removed from the post-Atletico Madrid outburst, Martinez played the first half at Elland Road and went in at the break with United 1-0 up thanks to Bryan Mbeumo’s smart finish 10 minutes before half-time.
However, he did not appear for the second half as he was replaced by a returning Noussair Mazraoui before joining the rest of the Man United substitutes on the bench.
Carrick has since provided an update, confirming Martinez picked up a knock.
Injury scare: Lisandro Martinez
Getty
“He felt his thigh a little bit,” the Man United boss told reporters.
It now remains to be seen how serious the thigh issue is, though Martinez is now doubt for Man United’s game against Como and a further update will arrive on Tuesday at the latest when the squad trains at Carrington.
Potential return date: Unknown
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo has now missed Man United’s last two games after playing 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham immediately following the international break.
The nature of the midfielder has not yet been disclosed and the updates have been few and far between since he missed training before the Atletico Madrid match.
Though, speaking before the draw with Leeds. Carrick revealed Mainoo was “close” to making the squad at Elland Road and that suggests a return will not be too far away.
Potential return date: Wednesday October 21 vs Como (A)
Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw is in a similar boat to Mainoo, with his absence causing a reshuffle at left-back as Heaven and Diogo Dalot have both filled in there over the past week.
Like Mainoo, not a great deal is known about Shaw’s knock but he too could be back in action against Como, thus making his first Champions League appearance of the season.
Potential return date: Wednesday October 21 vs Como (A)
Injury doubts: Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo
Getty
Ayden Heaven
Heaven went from a starter in Madrid to not even making the matchday squad at all against Leeds.
It has been widely reported that the reason for his absence is down to illness, so it is just a case of seeing how quickly he can make a full recovery as he should not be sidelined for too long.
Potential return date: Wednesday October 21 vs Como (A) or Sunday October 25 vs Bournemouth (H)
Patrick Dorgu
Patrick Dorgu started for Denmark against Wales in the Nations League last month, but was hauled off with 30 minutes on the clock after sustaining a hamstring injury.
With the Dane capable of operating at left-back - having done so against Sabah and Manchester City earlier in the season - his absence comes at the worst possible time.
The worry is that Dorgu is facing a prolonged spell on the sidelines.
Speaking ahead of the 1-1 draw with Tottenham, Carrick said: “It looks like he'll be out for a number of weeks.”
Potential return date: November
Benjamin Sesko
Benjamin Sesko has suffered a fresh flare-up of the shin injury which saw him miss the last few games of his debut season at United.
He had seemed to be back at full fitness after featuring against Hull, Ipswich, Everton, Sabah, Manchester City and Brighton, but was left out of the squad entirely for the trip to Fulham and has missed the last three games since the international break.
Speaking before the Leeds game, Carrick insisted it was too early to set timeframe on a return for the striker.
Benjamin Sesko has been a big miss for Manchester United recently
Getty
“Ben’s kind of still undergoing a couple of checks before we update on timelines or anything,” the Man United head coach told reporters.
“We’re just trying to be clear with what that looks like.
“He’s still a little bit further away, but when we know we’ll let you know.”
Potential return date: Unknown
Manuel Ugarte
Manuel Ugarte has not played a single minute for Man United this season after his World Cup earlier in the summer was cut short due suffering a ligament injury while representing Uruguay.
The midfielder was stretchered off during Uruguay’s 1-0 defeat by Spain in group phase and while Ugarte’s recovery period is still to be determined, he is not expected to return until 2027.
Potential return date: Spring/Summer 2027
Tom Heaton
United’s veteran third-choice goalkeeper suffered a hamstring injury after starting in a pre-season friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in Sweden on August 8.
He has not been involved since and updates have been few and far between.
Potential return date: Unknown