Sesko and De Ligt Boost Manchester United Ahead of Premier League
Manchester United’s final week before the Premier League starts has been handed a badly needed jolt of positivity: Benjamin Sesko and Matthijs de Ligt are back in full training.
Both trained fully with the group just hours before the new campaign gets underway, a sight that will have gone down well with the coaching staff as they piece together their plans for the season opener against Hull City next Saturday.
De Ligt finally back in the thick of it
For De Ligt, this was more than just another session. It was his first full training workout since undergoing back surgery in May, a procedure that followed the injury he suffered last November.
Since 30 November, the Dutch defender has been largely a spectator. He missed out on the World Cup finals and, until now, had only managed the opening 15 minutes of a training session in Dublin last week before stepping out.
This time, he stayed in. No early exit, no managed cameo. A full session completed and, with it, a major step towards reclaiming a starting place at the heart of United’s defence.
Sesko sharp after summer graft
Sesko’s road back has been different, but just as significant for United’s attacking options.
The forward sat out the club’s pre-season matches while recovering from a lower leg injury, one that also kept him out of United’s final three games of last season. He spent much of the summer working individually on the grass, away from the main group but always in sight of the coaching staff.
That work showed on Tuesday morning. Sesko looked sharp, moving freely and hitting the intensity levels expected at this stage. Inside the club, there is growing optimism that he could be involved in the squad against Hull City, offering United another weapon at the top end of the pitch right from matchday one.
Mount missing but fears eased
Not everyone made it onto the training pitch.
Mason Mount was the notable absentee after taking a stamp on his foot in the 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in Stockholm, a friendly that ended on a positive note but left its mark on the midfielder.
According to club sources cited by British outlet The Sun, Mount’s omission from training is purely precautionary. Even though he also sat out the final friendlies under Michael Carrick against Leeds United and Milan, there is no suggestion of a serious problem at this stage, with United keen not to risk aggravating the bruise so close to the start of the season.
Transfer business still bubbling
While the medical room begins to clear, the recruitment department remains busy.
United still intend to complete new signings before the summer window shuts, with at least two additions on the agenda. Left-back is a clear priority, and Lewis Hall has emerged as the preferred option for that role as the club look to add depth and competition on the flank.
The midfield is also under active review. Despite the arrivals of Youri Tielemans and Andre Santos, United want a prominent defensive midfielder to anchor the centre of the pitch and stiffen the spine of the team for the long campaign ahead.
Fit-again pillars at the back and up front, a key midfielder handled with care, and more reinforcements on the way: United are moving into the new season with questions still to answer, but with the mood around Carrington quietly lifting at exactly the right time.
