Manchester United Faces Injury Crisis Ahead of Ipswich Clash
Manchester United will go into their Old Trafford opener patched up and under pressure, with Michael Carrick missing at least nine players for Sunday’s visit of Ipswich Town.
A flat 2-0 defeat at Hull on the opening weekend has already darkened the mood around United’s season, and the injury list does little to help a side still searching for its first point, let alone its first win.
New £70m signing made to wait
The headline arrival of the week, Carlos Baleba, will be in the stands rather than the centre of the pitch.
United sealed a £70million deal with Brighton for the midfielder, but an ankle issue picked up in pre-season means his debut is on hold. Carrick made it clear the club knew about the problem when they signed him and moved quickly to play down any sense of alarm.
"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," the United boss said.
For a team crying out for control and energy in midfield after the loss at Hull, that wait will feel longer than “a couple of weeks”.
Amad out, Mount close but not quite
In attack, Carrick will again be without Amad. The £37m signing from 2021 is still recovering from a minor injury sustained in training and also missed the defeat at Hull.
"Amad won't be involved, he'll be out for a little bit longer," Carrick confirmed, removing any hope of a late surprise.
There is better news around Mason Mount, even if Sunday comes too soon for a full return to the XI. The midfielder has stepped up his workload and trained with the squad this week.
"Mase is back around the group, he trained this week, so a real positive," Carrick said, hinting at a player edging towards involvement without committing to his role against Ipswich.
De Ligt and Heaton add to absences
At the back, Matthijs De Ligt remains a long-term absentee, though the tone around him has shifted. After an extended spell out, the Dutch defender is finally back in training and building up fitness.
"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 said.
United will also be without reserve goalkeeper Tom Heaton. The experienced stopper picked up an injury in the pre-season friendly against PSG and is yet to be given a clear return date. He would not have started, but his absence strips away another layer of depth from Carrick’s matchday options.
Ipswich also depleted
Ipswich arrive with problems of their own, even if they travel in better spirits after victory over Sunderland.
Jaden Philogene, who missed that win, is sidelined with an ankle issue. Florentino Luis is also ruled out with a calf injury, having been absent against the Black Cats as well. Azor Matusiwa, another who sat out last week, remains unavailable with a thigh complaint.
Four out for Ipswich, at least nine missing for United. Both squads are stretched, but only one manager is staring down the barrel of a winless start at Old Trafford.
Carrick needs a response. Injuries or not, the season will not wait for United to get healthy.
