Michael Carrick will want to get Manchester United's season back on track when club football returns
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick
Michael Carrick will want to improve on Manchester United's start to the season(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Manchester United may not return to competitive action until later this month, but Michael Carrick will have plenty to occupy him during the international break. The United manager is seeking answers following his team's underwhelming start to the campaign.
Carrick will be closely monitoring those on international duty, with Noussair Mazraoui among the latest to cause concern for his boss. The defender was forced off through injury during Morocco's win over Lesotho, adding to the list of United players nursing fitness concerns during the international break alongside Bruno Fernandes and Patrick Dorgu.
The United manager will also be concentrating on his work at Carrington as he attempts to kickstart his side's season. The Reds crashed out of the Carabao Cup and collected five points from five league fixtures before the pause in domestic football, languishing in 12th position in the Premier League standings.
Elsewhere, United forward Sesko has received an apology after his desire to play through injury was recently questioned. MEN Sport examines some of the major stories surrounding the club below.
Michael Carrick takes action
Carrick will reportedly have a chance to work with some of his squad in a behind-closed-doors friendly over the coming days. The Telegraph reports that United are scheduled to face Lausanne-Sport, with the Swiss outfit also owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The fixture presents the manager with an opportunity to assess his players in a competitive setting and potentially trial new solutions as Carrick looks to breathe life into his side's campaign. Details regarding the venue and date remain unclear, though the match will serve as useful preparation ahead of United's clash with Tottenham Hotspur on October 10.
Lausanne-Sport have endured an even more difficult start to their own league season than United. Luka Elsner's side prop up the Swiss Super League table, having claimed just one victory from their nine outings so far.
Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United
Benjamin Sesko was not involved in Manchester United's most recent game against Fulham(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Benjamin Sesko receives apology
Wayne Rooney has publicly apologised to Sesko after casting doubt over the striker's willingness to play through the pain. The Slovenian forward came off the bench in each of United's four league fixtures before sitting out the draw with Fulham before the international break due to a shin problem.
This initially prompted a sharp response from club icon Rooney, who said on his Stick to United podcast: "If you're trying to play No9 [for Man United] and you've got a must-win game and you've got a sore shin and you're not playing... that's a big part of the problem. Unless you physically can't play, you play when you're injured."
However, United's all-time record scorer has since withdrawn his criticism. The 40-year-old apologised to Sesko upon learning the full extent of his injury, which ultimately forced him to pull out of the Slovenia squad.
"Well, if it's long-term, then I suppose I should apologise," Rooney said on Stick to United. "So, I apologise, Sesko. I apologise if I misjudged you. Sorry."