Manchester United Faces Injury Crisis Ahead of Ipswich Clash
Manchester United will limp into their Old Trafford opener on Sunday, with Michael Carrick facing a mounting injury list and the weight of a winless start.
A bruising 2-0 defeat at Hull on the opening weekend has already turned up the pressure, and the United head coach must now plot a response against newly promoted Ipswich without at least nine senior players.
Carrick’s options cut as injuries bite
United’s big midfield arrival, £70million signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton, will not be there to help. The club’s marquee addition has an ankle problem carried over from pre-season and will have to wait to make his debut.
"He's got a little ankle issue, so maybe a couple of weeks or so, three weeks. We knew that before. It's no major issue. It'll be great to have him back," Carrick said, downplaying any long-term concern but confirming he is out of the Ipswich clash.
He is far from alone.
Amad remains unavailable after a minor injury picked up in training, one that already kept him out of the Hull defeat. Carrick shut down any hope of a surprise return.
"Amad won't be involved, he'll be out for a little bit longer," he admitted, removing another attacking option from his bench.
Mason Mount is also not ready to start United’s home campaign, though there is at least a glimmer of encouragement around the England international.
"Mase is back around the group, he trained this week, so a real positive," Carrick said. Mount will stay sidelined for Ipswich, but the suggestion is that his comeback is edging closer.
Behind them, long-term absentee Matthijs De Ligt is still not in contention, even if his rehabilitation has finally turned a corner.
"Matta's obviously been out for a long period of time. But he's training and it's great to have him back. He won't be involved, but he's in good shape and moving in a good direction, so that's a good bonus for us really, at this stage, to have him back," Carrick explained.
The Dutch defender’s absence continues to shape United’s defensive options, even as he inches towards full fitness.
Even the goalkeeping department has taken a hit. Veteran reserve Tom Heaton, injured during the pre-season friendly against PSG, will also miss out. Carrick has yet to put any kind of timeline on the 38-year-old’s return, leaving United short of experienced cover between the posts.
Ipswich also patched up
Ipswich arrive in Manchester with problems of their own, despite the momentum of a confidence-boosting win over Sunderland.
Jaden Philogene, who missed that victory with an ankle issue, remains out. Florentino Luis is sidelined by a calf injury, having also sat out the Sunderland game. Azor Matusiwa, another absentee last weekend with a thigh problem, will again be unavailable.
The Tractor Boys are not at full strength, but their opening-day win contrasts sharply with United’s flat start.
Carrick, then, walks into Old Trafford under no illusions. A depleted squad, a restless fanbase, a promoted side with nothing to lose. For United, this isn’t just about getting players back. It’s about proving that, even with so many missing, they can still set the tone for their season.
