The Red Devils are now eight games without a win, with their next five games already looking a daunting prospect.
asserted
games → look → win
They kick-off that run with a trip to free-scoring Chelsea on Saturday.
asserted
They → kick → Saturday
Carrick’s tenure at Old Trafford reached a new low on Sunday, losing 3-0 at home to Bournemouth.
asserted
tenure → reach → 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.
asserted
United → be → Saturday
An update has finally been provided on Benjamin Sesko’s shin issue.
asserted
update → provide → 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.
asserted
striker → recall → 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.
asserted
forward → involve → 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.
asserted
Sesko → understand → months
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.
asserted
Carrick → exchange → Bournemouth
Fernandes remained on the bench, briefly warming up but not coming on as Man Utd struggled to lay a glove on the Cherries.
asserted
Utd → remain → Cherries
Manager and captain held talks to clear the air this week, indicating that Fernandes will return for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea.
asserted
Fernandes → hold → 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.
uncertain
who → label → 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.
asserted
he → give → knock
However, as he has previously played through the injury, it seems unlikely for Fernandes to miss more football.
asserted
Fernandes → play → football
However, Rashford was omitted from the travelling squad for the Como game, and also missing from Sunday’s defeat to Bournemouth.
asserted
Rashford → omit → Bournemouth
Speaking ahead of the Como loss, Carrick shared: “Marcus is still feeling a hip issue that we're trying to overcome.”
asserted
we → speak → that
At the time of writing, no specific details have been provided about a potential return date.
asserted
details → provide → date
Before the Como loss, Carrick implied Mainoo would be back in “10 days or so”.
asserted
Mainoo → imply → days
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.
asserted
midfielder → base → off
Potential return date: Saturday, October 31 vs Chelsea (A)
Luke Shaw
Carrick used Mainoo as a reference point when discussing Luke Shaw’s absence.
asserted
Carrick → use → 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.
asserted
Carrick → describe → back
Per Carrick, Shaw is expected to be sidelined longer than Mainoo - but how much longer is not clear.
asserted
Shaw → expect → Mainoo
Potential return date: Unknown
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.
asserted
return → pick → earliest
The last timeframe provided by Carrick was before the Spurs game at the start of October.
asserted
timeframe → provide → October
Speaking about Dorgu, Carrick shared: “It looks like he'll be out for a number of weeks.”
asserted
he → speak → 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.
asserted
Devils → set → 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.
asserted
midfielder → stretchere → return
The Aporia
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