Manchester United vs Ipswich Town: Injuries and Key Selection Decisions
Manchester United walk into their second Premier League game of the season already under pressure. A 2-0 opening-day defeat to Hull City has done that. Hull, promoted through the playoffs, made United look like the newcomers. Michael Carrick cannot afford a repeat against another newly-promoted side, Ipswich Town.
The stage is simple: same kind of opponent, very different performance required.
Baleba arrives, but may have to wait
Since that bruising loss to Hull, United have moved in the market. Carlos Baleba has arrived from Brighton and Hove Albion, immediately becoming the most natural defensive midfielder in the squad. It’s a key area, badly exposed last weekend.
But the new signing might have to watch this one from the sidelines.
Baleba suffered ankle ligament damage during Brighton’s pre-season and is still working his way back. The expectation is that he returns to full fitness before the end of September, with some individual work first. As it stands, his realistic target is Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday, 10 October, rather than Ipswich this Sunday.
Carrick has his holding midfielder. He just may not have him in time.
Amad blow leaves attacking gap
Amad’s absence was a quiet but notable one against Hull. He had featured in United’s final pre-season outing against AC Milan, then disappeared from the squad on opening day.
The reason is now clear. Roundtable understands the winger could be sidelined for up to six weeks after picking up an injury in training. That rules him out of the Ipswich clash and likely a chunk of United’s early campaign.
His potential return date is also being circled for that Tottenham fixture on 10 October. Until then, Carrick will have to shuffle his wide options and creativity from the bench.
Mount edges back towards action
There is at least some good news.
Mason Mount’s pre-season was derailed when he took a knock to the foot against Paris Saint-Germain and had to be withdrawn before the 20-minute mark. He left the stadium without a limp that night, but never reappeared against Leeds United, AC Milan or Hull City.
He was described as “touch and go” for the Hull game. Now, Sam Cohen reports that Mount has trained with the first-team squad ahead of Ipswich Town’s visit.
That puts him in contention for Sunday, 30 August, against Ipswich. Whether Carrick throws him straight in or uses him from the bench is another call entirely, but Mount’s availability offers a much-needed injection of energy and technical quality between the lines.
De Ligt’s long road back
At the other end of the pitch, patience remains the word with Matthijs de Ligt.
The Dutch defender has been out since suffering a back injury in November 2025. At the time, Rúben Amorim suggested he might return after just a week. That proved wildly optimistic. He has not played since.
De Ligt has now been seen back in training with the first-team group, though it appears to be the early stages of his rehabilitation. Back injuries demand caution, and United know it. A realistic timeframe points to a return in late October, rather than any imminent involvement.
Same squad, different statement required
Strip away the noise and the picture is clear. Against Ipswich Town, Carrick is likely to lean on almost the same squad that faltered against Hull City.
Baleba is unlikely to be rushed. Amad is out. De Ligt is still weeks away. Mount is the one major variable, hovering between a starting berth and a managed reintroduction.
What cannot be repeated is the performance.
Hull made United look uncertain, disjointed and reactive. Ipswich will arrive with the same promoted momentum and nothing to lose. United will arrive with questions hanging over them and a manager demanding answers.
Same kind of opponent. Almost the same squad. A completely different response is non-negotiable.
