Man United face injury concerns ahead of Hull opener

Manchester United signed off a stuttering pre-season with defeat to AC Milan on Saturday, and Michael Carrick’s biggest concern wasn’t the scoreline. It was the sight of yet another player on the turf.

The good news for him came quickly. Matheus Cunha got back up.

The Brazilian forward went down under a challenge and needed treatment from the medical staff, a hush briefly dropping over the United support. He played on, moved freely and was withdrawn just after the hour with no sign of discomfort. Barring any late reaction, he’s expected to be available for the Premier League opener away to Hull City on August 22.

United, though, will still travel to the MKM Stadium without several key names.

Cunha scare passes, but United walk injury tightrope

Matheus Cunha – Knock

Cunha’s issue was the flashpoint of the Milan game. A collision, a pause, the medical team on. He tested the leg, stayed on, and finished his shift without a limp or grimace. The club see no reason to add him to the official injury list, and he should be in contention to feature from the start at Hull.

Possible return date: Hull, August 22

De Ligt edging back, but no timeline

Matthijs de Ligt – Back

De Ligt remains the big unknown. The Dutch defender hasn’t played for United since November after undergoing back surgery and is still working his way back to full fitness.

He has stepped up his rehab, now training on grass and travelling with the squad to the Republic of Ireland for this week’s camp. That’s a significant step, but there has been no indication from the club of a firm return date. For now, his comeback remains open-ended.

Possible return date: Unknown

Heaton’s “innocuous” problem bites harder

Tom Heaton – Hamstring

What looked like a minor setback in Gothenburg has turned into something more awkward for Tom Heaton. The goalkeeper came off against PSG, replaced by Dermot Mee with little visible concern at the time.

Subsequent assessments have painted a different picture. Heaton is set to spend at least a few weeks on the sidelines and will learn the full extent of the hamstring injury next weekend. The early expectation is that he could be targeting a return around the trip to Everton.

Possible return date: Everton, September 6

Mount’s scare eases, but race is on for Hull

Mason Mount – Foot

When Mount walked off less than 20 minutes into the friendly with PSG, alarm bells rang. A new signing, a sharp exit, and a fanbase braced for bad news.

Those fears eased quickly. Mount left the stadium later with no visible limp and no protective boot. The relief, though, has been tempered by his absence since. He missed the friendlies against Leeds and AC Milan, and with no minutes in United’s final two warm-up games, a starting place at Hull looks unlikely.

The club still hope he can make the matchday squad, but he’s now in a race against time for sharpness rather than basic fitness.

Possible return date: Hull, August 22

Sesko still sidelined as Mbeumo steps up

Benjamin Sesko – Shin

Sesko’s shin problem has dragged on longer than United would like. He picked up the injury in the win over Liverpool in early May and has been managing the after-effects ever since.

The internal plan, outlined earlier in the summer, was for the Slovenian striker to feature in one of the final pre-season friendlies. His omission from the squad against Milan underlined that the target has been missed.

That leaves Bryan Mbeumo as a certainty to start at Hull, with Sesko short of both rhythm and minutes. At this stage, even a place on the bench next week looks optimistic. A more realistic aim is involvement against Ipswich the following weekend.

Possible return date: Ipswich, August 30

Ugarte faces the long road back

Manuel Ugarte – Knee ligament

The most brutal setback of United’s summer didn’t even happen in club colours. Manuel Ugarte’s World Cup ended on a stretcher in June during Uruguay’s defeat to Spain, a knee ligament injury cutting him down on the biggest stage.

The midfielder later addressed the blow on social media, describing it as “the most serious injury a footballer can face” and admitting the pain of not being able to stay on the pitch with his team-mates. He spoke of “hitting rock bottom” and using it to come back stronger, framing the lay-off as a test he intends to overcome.

The reality is stark: United do not expect him back in competitive action until 2027.

Possible return date: 2027

Darlow waits for his first chance

Karl Darlow – Unknown issue

Karl Darlow has been nursing a pre-existing problem since signing for United. The club do not consider it serious, but it has been enough to keep him out of every pre-season squad.

He remains on an individual programme as he builds towards full involvement. For now, his competitive debut will have to wait.

United head to Hull with momentum dented by defeat to Milan and a squad patched together around lingering knocks and long-term absences. The season hasn’t even started, and already Carrick is juggling timelines. How long he has to keep doing that may define what this campaign becomes.