Carrick's Injury Update: Sesko Returns, Mount Uncertain for Hull Clash

Manchester United open their 2026/27 Premier League campaign at Hull City on Saturday lunchtime with Michael Carrick juggling a crowded medical bulletin – but finally, there are some green shoots.

A week on from a 4-2 defeat to Milan in Wroclaw that several senior players missed, Carrick has key figures edging back towards action at just the right time.

Sesko back in the fold

The headline boost is up front.
Benjamin Sesko, absent for the entire pre-season, is back.

The striker’s debut campaign was cut short in early May by a shin problem he had been managing for months, only for it to flare up in the win over Liverpool at Old Trafford. That setback ruled him out of United’s summer schedule, but the 21-year-old has now rejoined full training at Carrington.

“Ben [Sesko] is back training, so that's another positive,” Carrick confirmed on Thursday. “Looking forward to having him back around the group and getting him some minutes as well.”

After a summer of watching from the sidelines, Sesko is suddenly in the frame again as United look for a fast start.

Darlow returns as Heaton waits

At the other end of the pitch, there is welcome movement in goal.

New signing Karl Darlow has yet to make his United debut after undergoing surgery at the end of last season. He played through to the end of his contract with Leeds United and even turned out for Wales in early June before being shut down for the summer.

With Senne Lammens starting, Radek Vitek moving to Middlesbrough and Tom Heaton also out, academy product Dermot Mee has been forced into recent squads. That could change quickly.

“Karl has trained this week. He's back training, so he's in good shape,” Carrick said, opening the door for the 33-year-old to be involved at Hull.

Heaton, though, faces an unwanted spell out. The veteran keeper picked up what initially looked like a minor issue against Paris Saint-Germain a fortnight ago when Mee replaced him. It has turned into something more serious than first thought, and Heaton is now expected to miss at least a few weeks.

The timing makes Darlow’s return to the bench – and potentially the matchday squad at the MKM Stadium – all the more important.

Ugarte the long-term casualty

Not everyone is close.

Manuel Ugarte remains United’s one clear long-term absentee after suffering a knee ligament injury playing for Uruguay at this summer’s World Cup. The midfielder has already undergone surgery, with the club confirming the operation was successful and stressing that his rehabilitation will be carefully overseen by their medical and performance staff.

Ugarte has spoken of his gratitude to both Uruguay and United for their support and vowed to “come back stronger”, but his absence will stretch well into the season. Carrick will have to plan without him for months, not weeks.

Mount on a tight deadline

Mason Mount sits somewhere in between.

The midfielder limped off after just 20 minutes of the 1-1 draw with PSG in Gothenburg earlier this month, a foot injury cutting short his afternoon and his pre-season rhythm. Since then he has missed two matches, with Tyler Fletcher stepping in against the French champions, Andrey Santos starting alongside him versus Leeds, and Youri Tielemans partnering Santos last weekend.

Carrick hinted that Mount is very close, but not guaranteed, to be involved at Hull.

“We are managing Mason [Mount] a little bit, but he's very close,” he said. “So it's touch-and-go for the weekend, really, if not going into next week.”

United will weigh risk against reward on a player expected to be central to their midfield structure this season.

De Ligt back on the grass, but not yet in the team

At centre-back, there is encouragement with a caveat.

Matthijs de Ligt is finally training again after back surgery earlier this year, an operation that ruled him out of the final six months of last season. His last appearance came in late November, and the long road back has only just brought him to the training pitch.

“Matt [De Ligt] has obviously been out for a long period of time, but he's training and 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, to have him back.”

United will not rush him. The opening day will come too soon, but the sight of De Ligt moving freely again is a significant step for the months ahead.

So United head to the MKM Stadium with Sesko back, Darlow ready, Mount on a knife-edge, De Ligt edging closer, Heaton waiting on recovery and Ugarte resigned to the long haul. For Carrick, the real question now is whether this first weekend sets the tone for a season shaped by returning stars or one constantly interrupted by the treatment room.