Michael Carrick Updates on Benjamin Sesko and Mason Mount for Hull Clash

Michael Carrick expects Benjamin Sesko to be back in his matchday squad for Manchester United’s Premier League opener at Hull on Saturday – but Mason Mount is a doubt and Matthijs de Ligt has been ruled out.

Sesko has not kicked a ball in pre-season after a shin problem, an injury he played through for much of last year before it flared up in the win over Liverpool at Old Trafford in May. While the rest of the squad toured and played six summer friendlies, the striker stayed at Carrington to recover.

This week, he finally rejoined full training.

Carrick will not throw him straight into the starting XI, with match sharpness still missing, but just having the Slovenian back on the grass is a lift for a squad that may travel to Hull without one of its key creators.

Mount “touch-and-go” for Hull

Mount’s situation is less clear. What was initially described as a simple knock has already cost him two pre-season games, and he will miss a third if he does not make it for the weekend.

United are treading carefully.

“And then we are managing Mason [Mount] 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.

The manager pushed back on any wider concern over Mount’s fitness record.

“I think, first of all, Mason is a top player. Top player,” he said. “I think we've seen that so far pre-season. He was one of our best players in the early stages in the games that he played in. I thought he was fantastic.”

Carrick stressed there is “no drama” around the current issue, describing it as a minor setback of around a week to 10 days.

“Yeah, of course, he's missed some football over recent years and he wants to be fit, he wants to be in that full rhythm, and he wants to stay fit,” Carrick added. “So we're doing our best to help him do that, but he's a top player, Mason.”

For Carrick, Mount’s situation folds into a wider theme: managing a group he expects to be stretched over a long season.

“It's the same as the group. We've got to manage the squad. There's going to be injuries through the season,” he said. “We've got to have a squad that's strong enough to have a really good top starting team with the depth to carry us through the season. Mason will be back very, very soon, if not immediately, so it's all good.”

De Ligt out, Darlow ready

At the back, De Ligt will not feature. The defender is back on the training pitch after back surgery, but United are refusing to rush the final phase of his rehabilitation.

“Matt [De Ligt] has obviously been out for a long period of time, but he's training and 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 to have him back.”

There is better news in goal. New signing Karl Darlow is available after a full week’s work at Carrington.

“Yeah, Karl [Darlow] has trained this week. He's back training, so he's in good shape,” Carrick confirmed. The keeper is in contention to make the squad at the MKM Stadium.

Sesko, too, has ticked an important box.

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

First trip to Hull since 2017

United’s visit to Hull will be their first since 2017, a reminder of how long the Tigers spent out of the top flight. After nine years in the Championship, Hull are back in the Premier League thanks to last season’s play-off triumph and will treat this opener as a statement occasion.

Carrick sounds ready for the noise and the scrutiny.

“As you'd expect, really looking forward to another season, you know,” he said. “They come thick and fast, so it's about making the most of everything that's in front of us really.

“And really encouraged with the work we've done in pre-season on the training ground, mostly in the games I think's been really good. So yeah, very much looking forward to the first game and a tough one on Saturday.”

A promoted side at home, a reshaped United still juggling fitness issues, and a manager backing his depth from day one. Hull away will show quickly just how strong that squad really is.