Man United Injury Concerns Ahead of Hull Opener

Manchester United’s pre-season ended with a defeat to AC Milan and a familiar feeling: more questions about fitness than about form.

Michael Carrick’s side wrapped up their summer schedule on Saturday, beaten by the Italians and still without a clutch of senior players. Even during the game, there was a brief scare when Matheus Cunha went down and needed treatment, a hush falling over a squad already stretched.

He got up. He carried on. And that, at least, was one piece of good news.

Cunha scare eases

Matheus Cunha – Knock

Cunha’s issue looked worrying in real time. He received attention from the medical team before continuing and later coming off just after the hour mark. There were no signs of discomfort as he left the pitch, no limp, no ice strapped on. All indications are that he avoided serious damage and should be available for the Premier League opener away to Hull City.

• Possible return date: Hull (A), August 22

De Ligt back on the grass, but no timeline

Matthijs de Ligt – Back

De Ligt remains the big unknown. The defender has not played for United since November after undergoing back surgery and is still working his way back. He has returned to training on grass and travelled with the squad to the Republic of Ireland for this week’s camp, a clear step forward. What he doesn’t have yet is a target date.

• Possible return date: Unknown

Heaton’s “innocuous” problem bites harder

Tom Heaton – Hamstring

What looked minor in Gothenburg has turned into something more troublesome. Heaton felt his hamstring in the friendly against PSG and was replaced by Dermot Mee without major alarm at the time. Subsequent checks have painted a different picture. He is expected to be out for at least a few weeks and will learn the full extent of the damage in the coming days.

• Possible return date: Everton (H), September 6

Mount’s setback clouds Hull selection

Mason Mount – Foot

When Mount came off inside 20 minutes against PSG, fears spiked. Those eased quickly when he was later seen walking away from the stadium without a limp. The relief has been tempered by his absence since.

Mount has missed United’s final two friendlies of the summer, against Leeds and AC Milan, and that lack of minutes leaves his place in the starting XI at Hull in serious doubt. The hope inside the club is that he recovers in time to make the matchday squad, but he is short of rhythm.

• Possible return date: Hull (A), August 22

Sesko still waiting, Mbeumo steps up

Benjamin Sesko – Shin

Sesko’s shin injury, picked up in the win over Liverpool in early May, continues to drag on. The internal plan had been clear: get him on the pitch in one of the final pre-season games. His omission from the squad against Milan confirmed that target has been missed.

That gap hands Bryan Mbeumo a clear runway to start at Hull. Sesko has gone too long without a competitive minute to be considered ready to lead the line, and even a place on the bench next week looks optimistic. A more realistic aim is to be involved when United face Ipswich the following week.

• Possible return date: Ipswich (H), August 30

Ugarte faces the long road back

Manuel Ugarte – Knee ligament

Ugarte’s season changed in an instant during Uruguay’s World Cup defeat to Spain in June. Stretchered off with a serious knee ligament injury, he later described it as “the most serious injury a footballer can face” and spoke of “hitting rock bottom” in an emotional social media post.

His message was defiant, focused on using the setback as a springboard. The reality is brutal: United will be without him for a very long time.

• Possible return date: 2027

Darlow still waiting for his first outing

Karl Darlow – Unknown issue

Darlow has yet to appear in a United shirt. The goalkeeper has been managing a pre-existing problem since signing and did not feature in any of the pre-season squads. The issue is not believed to be serious, but his competitive debut will have to wait.

As Hull City waits on the horizon, Carrick knows the picture: key pieces are close, some are miles away, and others are racing the clock. The season won’t pause for anyone.