Michael Carrick is working with a severely depleted squad ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Como tomorrow.
The players took part in an open training session at Carrington today before flying to Italy, and as many as five senior players were absent.
Who’s missing for United?
(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
As per BBC Sport’s Simon Stone, Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford were not involved, while Leny Yoro trained separately, as his suspension following last week’s red card means he is ruled out anyway.
Manchester Evening News journalist Steven Railston subsequently added that Carrick is facing a ‘defensive crisis’ at potentially the worst possible time, given he is in a place where wins are imperative.
Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt are poised to be the only senior defenders available, with the latter awaiting his first appearance since November 2025.
Carrick facing an uphill battle to turn around United’s form
(Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Rashford is said to have been nursing a hip problem since the World Cup, hence choosing to withdraw from the England squad over the international break.
Meanwhile, Martinez was hooked at the interval of Sunday’s draw with Leeds United after feeling some discomfort in his thigh.
Ironically, the backline is one area of the squad that desperately needed reinforcing over the summer window, but INEOS opted against doing so, instead deciding that Carrick would be able to make do with the options he already had at his disposal.
In regard to United’s opponents on matchday three of the Champions League, Como were beaten 3-2 by Feyenoord last week, but overturned RB Leipzig 4-1 in their opening game.
In Serie A, they have won four matches, drawn twice and lost once, leaving them fifth-placed.
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