Noussair Mazraoui is nearing a return to action after missing most of the pre-season preparations, while Rasmus Hojlund is being linked with a move away from Manchester United in the final week of the transfer window.
It’s another big week for Manchester United as they begin their quest to win the Carabao Cup when they take on League Two outfit Grimsby Town in the second round.
Ruben Amorim’s side will travel to Blundell Park as favourites to record their first win of the new season, after picking up just one point from the first two games of the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.
United drew 1-1 against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday, a week after losing the first game of the season 1-0 against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
One positive from the two games so far is that United have avoided fresh injury concerns. It comes as an additional bonus that Amorim is expecting to have one of his injured players back in contention to play this week, ahead of the games against Grimsby Town and Burnley.
Ruben Amorim during the Premier League match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage in 2025 in London, England.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Noussair Mazraoui set for Man Utd return
United have been without Noussair Mazraoui for the start of the new season.
The Morocco international has not featured for the Red Devils since their initial pre-season friendly this summer, when he played 45 minutes of the goalless draw against Leeds.
Last season, Mazraoui became one of the most reliable performers in United’s first team, after joining from Bayern Munich. He went on to make 57 appearances across all competitions and played in multiple positions.
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Speaking to reporters on Sunday night ahead of the Carabao Cup tie against Grimsby Town, Amorim revealed that Mazraoui could return to face the League Two side or Burnley later in the week.
“No, maybe he [Mazraoui] is going to return next week, we will see,” Amorim said.
“But he’s near, we are just finishing some drills with him to be sure that he’s not going to have another problem.”
Amorim also confirmed that he will make changes to his side that will face Grimsby Town tomorrow night.
“Yes, we have three games this week, we have quality players, and we need to do rotation to try to win every game.”
Amorim will be keen to avoid the problems that surfaced at United last season, with key players missing chunks of the season due to injury.
United are still waiting on Lisandro Martinez to return.
Rasmus Hojlund in contention to play against Grimsby Town
After missing out on a place in the matchday squad against Arsenal and Fulham, the journalists were eager to question Amorim about whether Rasmus Hojlund would be available to face Grimsby Town.
The 22-year-old striker is heavily linked with a move to Serie A champions Napoli, where he could team up with former United midfielder Scott McTominay again.
Amorim stressed that all of the players are available to face Grimsby Town when asked about Hojlund.
He added: “All the players are available. Then we will make the choice to get the best starting XI to win every game.”