Michael Carrick avoids talk over Manchester United future amid sack threat
Manchester United are preparing for their trip to Chelsea amid plenty of uncertainty, and a fresh huge injury blow.
The Red Devils are now eight games without a win, with their next five games already looking a daunting prospect. They kick-off that run with a trip to free-scoring Chelsea on Saturday.
Carrick’s tenure at Old Trafford reached a new low on Sunday, losing 3-0 at home to Bournemouth. At least there were no new injury concerns, and it is hoped that Manchester United will recover two players for the trip to Chelsea on Saturday.
Benjamin Sesko
An update has finally been provided on Benjamin Sesko’s shin issue. Man Utd fans will recall the Slovenian’s 2025/26 campaign was cut short by a similar issue, with the striker recovering to feature in the first games of the season.
Sesko was involved in matchday squads in some capacities until he was absent for the trip to Fulham, and since the international break the towering forward has remained missing from games.
Standard Sport now understands that Sesko will be sidelined until at least January, leaving the Red Devils short up top for at least two more months.
Bruno Fernandes
There may be a slight positive over Bruno Fernandes and Michael Carrick’s public falling out. After the two exchanged pointed messages in the press following the heavy defeat to Como last week, Carrick left out his star player for the 3-0 loss at home to Bournemouth.
Fernandes remained on the bench, briefly warming up but not coming on as Man Utd struggled to lay a glove on the Cherries. Manager and captain held talks to clear the air this week, indicating that Fernandes will return for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea.
Carrick labelled dropping Fernandes as a "pure football" decision at the time, but he may have inadvertently rested his star, who has struggled with an injury issue.
On Monday when the Man Utd squad were given the day off, Fernandes and other sidelined players were at Carrington for treatment, suggesting he is still carrying a knock.
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However, as he has previously played through the injury, it seems unlikely for Fernandes to miss more football.
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford is another player that has been in contention despite carrying an injury, although it appears the winger’s hip issue has forced Carrick’s hand.
Rashford was an unused sub during the first game back from the international break, Man Utd’s 1-1 draw with rivals Leeds. However, Rashford was omitted from the travelling squad for the Como game, and also missing from Sunday’s defeat to Bournemouth.
Speaking ahead of the Como loss, Carrick shared: “Marcus is still feeling a hip issue that we're trying to overcome.”
At the time of writing, no specific details have been provided about a potential return date.
Potential return date: Unknown
Kobbie Mainoo
Carrick has at least provided a more concrete timeline for Kobbie Mainoo, who has been sidelined since the draw with Tottenham.
Based on that timeframe, the midfielder should be available for Man Utd’s trip to the capital to face Chelsea in the lunchtime kick-off.
Carrick used Mainoo as a reference point when discussing Luke Shaw’s absence. Beyond the issue being described as a knock, not much is known about Shaw’s injury, which has caused chaos at the back as Carrick shuffles players across the backline, with right-backs at left-back and centre-halves at right-back.
Per Carrick, Shaw is expected to be sidelined longer than Mainoo - but how much longer is not clear.
Potential return date: Unknown
Sidelined: Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo
Patrick Dorgu
Patrick Dorgu picked up a hamstring issue while playing for Denmark during the last international break, with no return expected until November at the earliest.
The last timeframe provided by Carrick was before the Spurs game at the start of October. Speaking about Dorgu, Carrick shared: “It looks like he'll be out for a number of weeks.”
Potential return date: November
Manuel Ugarte
Manuel Ugarte is Man Utd’s longest injury absentee, with the Red Devils set to be missing the midfielder until 2027.
The midfielder was stretchered off during Uruguay’s 1-0 defeat by Spain in the World Cup with a knee issue, and is still someway away from a return.