Man United visit Stamford Bridge this afternoon hoping to end a poor run of form that has left them winless in their last eight matches
Benjamin Sesko is set for an extended period on the touchline
Benjamin Sesko is set for an extended period out(Image: Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick will be hoping his side can respond this afternoon when they travel to Chelsea in the Premier League's lunchtime kick-off. United enter the game winless in eight and Carrick has been embroiled in a saga surrounding his future this week.
Despite crisis talks on Monday, Carrick has kept his job and will be hoping this close call signifies a turning point at Old Trafford. Ahead of the game, United have a number of injury concerns to deal with. However, they do know that Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven are available after they returned in the defeat to Bournemouth.
MEN Sport has taken a look at six players who have been injured of late to see if they could feature today.
Benjamin Sesko
Injury: Shin
Sesko was dealt a hammer blow this week as Carrick confirmed he will be out for an extended period. In his pre-match press conference, Carrick extended his sympathies to the forward: "Yeah, unfortunately Ben looks like he's going to be out for a period of time. We're still not clear of exactly how long, but it's going to be for a longer period of time.
"It was the process, as I said to you before, we had to go through the process, a bit of a healing process for the injury to see how it would react and what direction to go with that. Even now we're still working through it.
"But it's unfortunate, obviously first and foremost, for Ben, for the kind of period that he's had, and tried to get through it and going through this again. And for us to not have him available is obviously a blow, but we'll try and get back, get him back as quick as we can."
Potential return date: January
Kobbie Mainoo
Injury: Muscular
In brighter news, Carrick confirmed in his press conference on Thursday that Mainoo is back with the group. He said: "Good news, Kobbie's done a little bit of training yesterday, so he's back in and around the group, so that's obviously a positive."
Potential return date: October 31 vs Chelsea
Marcus Rashford
Injury: Hip
Rashford has been dealing with a hip issue since missing the Como match. Carrick did not provide an update on his fitness during his press conference.
Potential return date: November 3 vs AS Roma
Luke Shaw
Injury: Unknown
Shaw was always expected to be out for longer than Mainoo which suggests he won't return to the team today. Carrick did not provide a new update on Thursday.
Potential return date: November
Patrick Dorgu
Injury: Thigh
Dorgu is struggling with a thigh injury he picked up with Denmark in the last international break. November could be the earliest he returns to the team.
Potential return date: November
Manuel Ugarte
Injury: Knee
Ugarte remains out. He suffered a serious injury while at the World Cup. It remains to be seen if he will play for United before the end of the season.
Potential return date: 2027