Carrick Provides Update on Key United Players Before Hull Opener

Manchester United will begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaign at Hull City with Michael Carrick juggling a packed treatment room and a handful of timely boosts.

The United head coach confirmed that Benjamin Sesko, Mason Mount and Matthijs de Ligt are all edging back towards action, but only one of them has a realistic chance of involvement at the MKM Stadium.

Mount, who picked up a minor issue during pre-season, has been carefully handled in recent weeks. Carrick made it clear the problem is not serious, but admitted the midfielder is racing the clock.

“We are managing Mason a little bit, but he's very close, so it's touch-and-go for the weekend really, if not going into next week,” Carrick said. “There's no drama… it's nothing major.”

Mount missed training earlier in the week and, despite only being out for a short spell, is expected to sit out the opener, with United reluctant to take unnecessary risks on the first weekend.

De Ligt and Sesko, both sidelined for longer stretches after problems carried over from last season, have stepped up their work at Carrington and are now back on the grass with the squad. Even so, Carrick is not ready to throw them straight in.

On de Ligt, he was clear: the Dutch defender will not feature at Hull.

“Matthijs has obviously been out for a long period of time, but he's training, and it's great to have him back,” Carrick said. “Well, he won't be involved, but he's in good shape and moving in a good direction. So that's really a good bonus for us really at this stage.”

Sesko is slightly further along in terms of potential involvement. The forward has returned to full training and, unlike de Ligt, could be in contention for some part to play in the early weeks of the season.

“Ben is back training. So that's again another positive,” Carrick added. “Looking forward to having him back around the group and getting him some minutes as well.”

Summer signing Karl Darlow is another who has shaken off an issue and is now back training. The goalkeeper is unlikely to start but could take a place on the bench. Manuel Ugarte and Tom Heaton, though, are set to miss out.

United are not alone in dealing with absentees. Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic faces an even longer list, with eight players expected to be unavailable, including four new signings. Jack Butland, Oscar Zambrano, Joe Gelhardt and Hidemasa Morita all head into the new campaign with fitness concerns.

Morita offers Jakirovic a sliver of hope. The midfielder has returned to training and could, in theory, make his debut on Saturday, but the more realistic target is the Carabao Cup next week, when his first minutes of English football may finally arrive.

Between United’s cautious reinforcements and Hull’s depleted options, the opening day may already feel like a test of squad depth as much as early-season form.