Manchester United return to action in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night when they host fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion
Carlos Baleba will not face his former club in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night
Carlos Baleba will not face his former club in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
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Manchester United remain without six first-team players ahead of the Carabao Cup third round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion. In his pre-match press conference, Michael Carrick spoke about finding the right balance between rotation and respect for their opponents after the disappointing loss to Manchester City on Sunday.
United crashed out of this competition to League Two Grimsby Town last season and while losing to Fabian Hurzeler's side would be nowhere near as embarrassing, there is an expectation that the Reds should be competing in the Carabao Cup. As such, we can expect Carrick to field a relatively strong side for this game.
However, that side is unlikely to include most of the players below. MEN Sport has rounded up when we may see some of United's injured players involved again.
Luke Shaw
Injury: Unknown
Shaw missed his first Premier League game since the 2024/25 season on Sunday. When asked if he would be fit to face Brighton, Carrick said: "Yeah, he could possibly be fit for Brighton, but it's not clear-cut. But it's a matter of a few days rather than anything else."
Potential return date: September 16 vs Brighton
Carlos Baleba
Injury: Ankle
The former Brighton man would have been eager to face his old club. However, his injury picked up during pre-season with the Seagulls has ruled him out. "He'll be back in and around the group at some point over the next week or so, so that means after international, he should be in good shape," Carrick said when asked about Baleba.
Potential return date: October 10 vs Tottenham Hotspur
Amad
Injury: Unknown
Amad pulled up in the final training session before the Hull game and has not featured since. It appears unlikely that he will feature before the international break, with Carrick saying: "Amad, not quite close in terms of days, but we'll see as the week progresses."
Potential return date: October 10 vs Tottenham Hotspur
Matthijs de Ligt
Injury: Back
The centre-back has been absent since last year with a back problem. He underwent surgery in May and has been pictured back on the grass in recent weeks. However, Carrick is reluctant to put a timescale on his return to competitive action. "Matta’s just working his way back, really, so because of the timeframe and how it's been, I don't really want to put too much timeframe on it," the United boss said.
Potential return date: Unknown
Tom Heaton
Injury: Hamstring
United's third-choice goalkeeper has been out since August 8 with a hamstring injury suffered against Paris Saint-Germain. He has not featured in a matchday squad since then.
Potential return date: Unknown
Manuel Ugarte
Injury: Knee
During the World Cup, Ugarte suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. He is the furthest off a return to action.
Potential return date: 2027