Manchester United face Fulham in the Premier League with a squad of 23 players travelling down to west London from Stockport railway station on Saturday afternoon
Benjamin Sesko arriving at Old Trafford
Benjamin Sesko did not travel to London with his Manchester United team-mates on Saturday afternoon(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
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A squad of 23 Manchester United players travelled down to London from Stockport railway station on Saturday afternoon for their Premier League match against Fulham.
Carlos Baleba, Luke Shaw and Matthijs de Ligt were among the group, but sources have confirmed that Benjamin Sesko was not. The only forwards present were Bryan Mbeumo, Joshua Zirkzee, Marcus Rashford, Matheus Cunha and Shea Lacey.
De Ligt and Shaw join Ayden Heaven, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu. Below is a roundup of the latest injury news and potential return dates for several sidelined United players.
Amad
One player who will not be playing until after the international break is Amad, who has missed the first part of the season due to a foot injury. The winger missed two-and-a-half months with a similar setback late last season, but this issue is not said to be as serious.
Amad, though, is not yet quite as close to making his first appearance of the season as other team-mates who have missed out thus far. However, a return in October is conceivable, and the Ivory Coast international would be a welcome additional forward option for a team who have not scored in half of their first four Premier League matches.
Potential return date: Tottenham Hotspur (H) on 10 October
Manchester United's Ivorian forward #16 Amad Diallo controls the ball during the pre-season friendly football match between Manchester United and AC Milan at the Tarczynski Arena in Wroclaw, Poland, on August 15, 2026
Amad will be aiming to return after the international break(Image: AFP or licensors)
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Benjamin Sesko
Michael Carrick did not mention that Sesko would be unavailable to play against Fulham in his pre-match press conference. However, sources confirming that Sesko did not travel down to London with his teammates suggests something is awry.
The striker started Wednesday's Carabao Cup third round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion and played three quarters of the match before being substituted as part of a triple change. There was seemingly nothing to suggest that the change was enforced.
Sesko, though, did not play in pre-season because of a shin injury. That may or may not be related to this absence.
Potential return date: Fulham (A)
Carlos Baleba
After being at Old Trafford for the midweek match against his former employers, Baleba has now travelled down to London for United's next match. The midfielder now looks poised to be available for a debut against Fulham, although any involvement is likely to be as a substitute.
Like with Sesko, injury prevented him from playing in any pre-season friendly matches this summer. After overcoming ankle ligament damage and recently returning to training, this is the next step up. Finally, having their summer signing available would be a welcome boost after back-to-back defeats just four days apart in the last week.
Potential return date: Fulham (A)
Carlos Baleba could finally make his first Manchester United appearance this weekend
Carlos Baleba could finally make his first Manchester United appearance against Fulham (Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Luke Shaw
Replacing the rested Dorgu should be where Shaw returns if fit enough to start at Craven Cottage. Mazraoui replaced the Denmark international in midweek, after Dorgu struggled in the Manchester derby and against Sabah on his Champions League debut.
Carrick has stressed that Shaw's injury was short-term, suggesting an immediate return to the starting line-up is possible. Not signing any additional competition for the England international has already cost United this season, so getting their only recognised senior left-back available again and keeping him on the pitch is now once more of paramount importance to them going forwards.
Potential return date: Fulham (A)
Manuel Ugarte
Baleba returning to the matchday squad leaves Ugarte as the lone central midfielder sidelined. United may not have even signed the Cameroon international this summer had he not sustained knee ligament damage while playing for Uruguay at this summer's World Cup.
Three months later, Ugarte is in the gym at Carrington with United's medical and performance staff. They are understandably managing him carefully while continuing with the rehabilitation stage of his recovery.
This is still only really the start of his comeback. However, it remains possible that Ugarte could yet play again later this season, but not until next year.
Potential return date: 2027
Manuel Ugarte.
Manuel Ugarte will not play again until next year(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Matthijs de Ligt
The Netherlands international's return to United's travelling squad also makes Ugarte the club's longest-standing injury now that De Ligt has recovered from a back issue. Surgery this summer has led to his return, and the defender's potential first appearance in a matchday squad this season will end an almost year-long absence.
United have conceded two or more goals in four of their six matches this season, so De Ligt's availability would give Carrick another option to change personnel at the back. However, the expectation is that they will ease the Dutchman back in after being out so long to avoid any recurrence of the problem.
Potential return date: Fulham (A)
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Tom Heaton
Three goalkeepers are in the travelling squad, but Heaton is not one of them as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Dermot Mee is the third goalkeeper at this point, behind Karl Darlow and Senne Lammens, having played in his team-mates absence during pre-season this summer.
There has been little in the way of updates about the former England international from Carrick since his substitution in the friendly against Paris Saint-Germain. However, there may well be more clarity about Heaton during or after the three-week international break, when Darlow and Lammens will be away with their national teams.
Potential return date: Tottenham Hotspur (H) on 10 October