Michael Carrick Provides Update on Sesko, Mount, and De Ligt Ahead of Premier League Opener

Michael Carrick expects Benjamin Sesko to be back in his matchday squad for Manchester United’s Premier League opener at Hull on Saturday – but Mason Mount is a doubt and Matthijs de Ligt has been ruled out.

Sesko has not played a minute of pre-season after a shin problem that flared up in May’s win over Liverpool at Old Trafford. He carried the issue through the back end of last season, but the setback forced him to stay at Carrington while United played six summer friendlies.

This week, the picture finally changed. The Slovenia striker has rejoined full training and is now in contention to travel, even if a starting spot is off the table for now.

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

Sesko’s return offers a timely lift for Carrick, who could be without Mount after the midfielder picked up a knock in pre-season. What was initially described as a minor issue is threatening to cost him a third straight game, including two friendlies.

Carrick, though, pushed back on any suggestion of a bigger problem.

“I think, first of all, Mason is a top player. Top player,” he said. “He was one of our best players in the early stages in the games that he played in. I thought he was fantastic.

“And he's picked up a little bit of a knock. There's no drama. It's maybe been a week or so, 10 days or whatever it's been. So it's nothing major.

“Of course, he's missed some football over recent years and he wants to be fit, he wants to be in that full rhythm, and he wants to stay fit. So we're doing our best to help him do that… Mason will be back very, very soon, if not immediately, so it's all good.”

For Hull, Mount is “touch-and-go”, as Carrick put it. If he misses out, the focus will fall on United’s depth – something the manager is already braced for.

“We've got to manage the squad. There's going to be injuries through the season,” he said. “We've got to have a squad that's strong enough to have a really good top starting team with the depth to carry us through the season.”

De Ligt out, Darlow ready

At the back, United will again be without De Ligt. The defender is stepping up his recovery from back surgery and has returned to training, but Carrick is in no mood to rush the Dutchman.

“Matt [De Ligt] has obviously been out for a long period of time, but he's training and great to have him back. Well, he won't be involved, but he's in good shape and moving in a good direction,” Carrick said. “So that's really a good bonus for us really at this stage to have him back.”

There is better news in goal. New signing Karl Darlow is in contention to be involved after a full week’s work at Carrington.

“Yeah, Karl [Darlow] has trained this week. He's back training, so he's in good shape,” Carrick confirmed.

New season, old demands

United head to Hull for the first time since 2017, with the Tigers back in the top flight after a nine-year spell in the Championship and a successful play-off campaign.

The trip doubles as a welcome party and a warning. A promoted side at home on opening day rarely plays nice.

“As you'd expect, really looking forward to another season, you know,” Carrick said. “They come thick and fast, so it's about making the most of everything that's in front of us really.

“Really encouraged with the work we've done in pre-season on the training ground, mostly in the games I think's been really good. So yeah, very much looking forward to the first game and a tough one on Saturday.”

Sesko easing back, Mount racing the clock, De Ligt held back for the longer haul – Carrick’s first team sheet of the campaign will already carry the marks of a season that hasn’t even started.