Michael Carrick has issued a Manchester United injury update before their Premier League clash against Tottenham on Saturday lunchtime.
Matthijs de Ligt walks on a path
Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt is still unavailable due to a back injury(Image: (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images))
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Manchester United could be handed an injury boost in time for this weekend's Premier League clash against Tottenham. Michael Carrick has won all three of his games in temporary charge, with last Sunday's comeback victory over Fulham coming after huge triumphs over Arsenal and Manchester City.
Mason Mount missed the latest of those matches after picking up a "knock during training" as revealed by Carrick. Though he did confirm it was "nothing serious," his latest update certainly hinted that a return this weekend is not guaranteed.
He said: "Mason sooner. He's not too far away. We’re hopeful it won't be too long." Carrick was also on hand to issue a fresh update on Matthijs de Ligt with the Dutchman having not featured since late November.
A back injury is what has kept him out for over two months with clear-cut updates on when he may return scarce. That has continued under Carrick even with the interim head coach hinting at an injury boost.
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He said: "Matta is working his way back, taking his steps and improving and being really positive." In late January, Carrick revealed: "He's not trained with us yet, so just working through the process, really, of getting him back as soon as we can."
With only one game to prepare for every week, Carrick has mostly been able to use the same starting XI barring a few changes here and there.
Bryan Mbeumo and Amad returning from AFCON - along with Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes getting back to full fitness after varying injury absences - has also drastically helped matters.
Patrick Dorgu picking up a hamstring problem is the only major blow Carrick has thus far had to contend with. The Denmark international had been playing on the left of an attacking three behind Mbeumo.
That has resulted in Matheus Cunha seamlessly coming into the line-up with the Brazil international scoring in the win over Fulham. He had already grabbed an assist and goal in cameos off the bench.
Patrick Dorgu receiving treatment on the pitch.
Patrick Dorgu suffered a hamstring injury in Manchester United's win over Arsenal.(Image: PA)
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Though a great replacement has come into the team, it is far from ideal to lose a player that was performing so well especially with Dorgu set to miss a considerable period.
Carrick said: "Pat, unfortunately, he's going to be out for a period of time. We're still working through how long that's going to be.
"We weren't sure whether it was a little bit of cramp or whether it was something a little bit more serious, and at the moment, it looks a little bit more on the serious note."
There were concerns that Mbeumo departed the Fulham win with an injury, too, but Carrick did not mention the Cameroon international when asked about injuries.