Manchester United are set to be without five players for their Champions League clash against Sabah.
Luke Shaw missed training earlier this week ahead of the Sabah game
Luke Shaw missed training earlier this week ahead of the Sabah game (Image: 2026 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)
Michael Carrick will be without at least five Manchester United players for tonight's Champions League encounter against Sabah, with the possibility of two further absentees. Carrick is preparing for his first European match as United's permanent manager, five years after he steered the Red Devils into the round of 16 by defeating Villarreal on Spanish soil. Much has changed since then with Carrick now at the helm of United.
However, he will need to guide the Reds to victory against Sabah without at least five key players. The United boss shed light on his squad's injury concerns during his pre-match press conference. Turning first to the long-term casualties, Manuel Ugarte will not return to action until next spring at the earliest, following the devastating knee injury he sustained during the World Cup.
Matthijs de Ligt will also remain sidelined, though Carrick did offer an update on the Dutchman's rehabilitation.
Carrick said: "We're still managing him, he's trained well and he's pushing and pushing, but we've got to manage that last stage. He's in a good place and it's great to have him back. Hopefully he will return soon."
Elsewhere, Tom Heaton and Amad are both expected to remain unavailable owing to their respective muscular complaints, with the timeline for their returns still deeply uncertain.
Carlos Baleba remains sidelined with the ankle problem he sustained during pre-season, prior to his £70m transfer from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounds Luke Shaw's availability. He was absent from training earlier this week, though this was attributed to an additional rest day.
Mason Mount was an unused substitute against Everton over the weekend
Mason Mount was an unused substitute against Everton over the weekend (Image: Getty)
Carrick indicated that it would be a late decision regarding his involvement, particularly with the Manchester derby looming this weekend.
Addressing Shaw's absence, the United manager explained: "We just gave him an extra recovery day so we'll see by tomorrow how he is but it's not an ongoing thing or a plan. As normal each individual has different things that we manage."
Another United player plagued by fitness concerns is Mason Mount. He was named amongst the substitutes for the 2-2 away stalemate against Everton but remained on the bench throughout.
Whether he'll get the chance to feature against Sabah is yet to be determined. It can likely be assumed that, barring any setbacks between now and kick-off, he will at minimum be included in the matchday squad.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy