The latest Manchester United injury news and expected return dates ahead of their forthcoming fixtures against Atlético Madrid and Leeds.
Having struggled to a frustrating 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend, Manchester United face two further opportunities to kick-start their season in the form of matches against Atlético Madrid and old rivals Leeds United – but injury issues are set to hamper their preparations for a pair of crucial fixtures.
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Under-pressure head coach Michael Carrick had to make do without six first-team players for Saturday’s game against Spurs, including striker Benjamin Šeško and full-backs Patrick Dorgu and Nouassir Mazraoui, and all of them remain doubts for both Tuesday’s Champions League tie in Spain and Sunday’s trip to Elland Road.
With kick-off in the Madrid fast approaching, we’ve collected all of the latest Manchester United injury news below, along with the stricken players’ expected return dates when available.
Manchester United’s Šeško & Dorgu set for lengthy lay-offs
Benjamin Šeško's return date remains a mystery after a second shin injuryplaceholder image
Benjamin Šeško's return date remains a mystery after a second shin injury | Getty Images
Prior to the draw with Spurs there had been concerns over several players who had withdrawn from their respective national squads ahead of the extended international break, but only one of them was still absent come match day – Slovenian striker Benjamin Šeško, who remained sidelined due to a shin injury.
Carrick has given little away regarding the 23-year-old’s prognosis, but it currently appears unlikely that he will be able to take part in either of this week’s matches and he is not expected to travel to Spain ahead of the Champions League game against Atlético Madrid.
“‘It’s not the exact issue,” Carrick said over the weekend, referring to a shin injury the forward picked up in the spring during a game against Liverpool. “It’s a similar area, but it’s not the exact same thing again. We’re kind of still working through it a little bit, and seeing how long the issue will be. We’re hoping that it’ll be soon, obviously, but at this moment it’s still not quite clear.”
Šeško’s previous shin injury kept him on the sidelines for over three months and while there is no confirmation that the new issue is quite as severe, there are worries that he may be set for a long lay-off.
A similar fate faces Patrick Dorgu, who limped off during the first half of Denmark’s recent win over Wales with a hamstring injury. Manchester United have not revealed the exact timeline for his return, but he is expected to be out until mid-November based on initial reports.
Mazraoui & De Ligt doubts for Atlético Madrid & Leeds matches
Noaussir Mazroaui could be back by the time Manchester United take on Leeds this weekendplaceholder image
Noaussir Mazroaui could be back by the time Manchester United take on Leeds this weekend | Getty Images
While Šeško and Dorgu are expected to be ruled out of this week’s matches, Manchester United could get two defenders back from injuries, including full-back Nouassir Mazraoui, who missed the game against Spurs due to a knock sustained while playing for Morocco.
The exact details of the issue remain undisclosed but Carrick suggested before the weekend that Mazraoui’s injury was minor, and he is expected to be assessed ahead of the Atlético Madrid match.
United may also be able to call upon the services of Matthijs de Ligt this week, with the Dutchman now back in full training after surgery on a back injury. He was involved in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Lausanne during the break and although not named in the matchday squad against Spurs, he is expected to make his comeback imminently.
Two further players have been ruled out of this week’s matches – midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who could miss the entire 2026/27 season after rupturing his ACL during the World Cup, and reserve goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. Heaton’s return date remains unknown.