Manchester United have received a welcome fitness update ahead of their upcoming fixture against Hull, with two players returning to training at Carrington this week, though the club continues to navigate a number of injury concerns across the squad.
Centre-back Matthijs de Ligt was among those spotted back on the training pitch on Tuesday as he continues his recovery from a back problem that has kept him sidelined since November 2025. The issue eventually required surgery, and the Dutch international has not featured in a competitive match since sustaining the injury. His return to training represents a significant step in his rehabilitation, though it remains to be seen how soon he will be deemed ready for match action.
The positive news, however, was tempered by concern over midfielder Mason Mount, who was absent from the same training session and now appears to be a doubt for the trip to face Hull. Manager Michael Carrick had previously downplayed Mount's absence from United's last two pre-season friendlies, describing it as a precautionary measure following a knock the midfielder picked up during a match against Paris Saint-Germain on August 8.
However, with Mount now having missed two consecutive fixtures and again failing to train ahead of the Hull game, questions are beginning to emerge over whether the issue is more serious than initially suggested. The uncertainty surrounding his fitness is a fresh blow for a player who has repeatedly struggled to stay on the pitch since his move from Chelsea in 2023.
Mount had shown promising signs during the early stages of pre-season, impressing in a deeper midfield role alongside Andrey Santos. The pairing had generated optimism among supporters eager to see how the partnership might function once competitive fixtures got underway. That anticipation will now have to wait, with Mount's involvement against Hull looking increasingly unlikely.
Adding to United's midfield concerns is the confirmed absence of Manuel Ugarte, who will be unavailable for a significant portion of the upcoming season. The Uruguayan suffered knee ligament damage while representing his national team at the World Cup, ruling him out for an extended period and leaving Carrick with further selection headaches in the middle of the park.
Despite the setbacks involving Mount and Ugarte, De Ligt's return to training will be seen as a genuinely positive development for a United side that has been forced to manage its defensive resources carefully in recent months. Getting the Dutchman back involved in group sessions marks the first tangible sign that his long recovery process is nearing its final stages, even if a timeline for his return to competitive football remains unclear.
Carrick and his coaching staff will now assess the situation over the coming days as they finalise their squad for the Hull fixture. With injuries continuing to disrupt planning, the manager will be hoping that De Ligt's progress is a sign of things to come, while keeping a close watch on Mount's condition to determine whether his absence is simply precautionary or symptomatic of a deeper issue.
United's ability to manage these fitness challenges will likely prove crucial as they look to build momentum going into the new campaign, with squad depth already being tested before a ball has even been kicked in earnest.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (Standard-Football), with additional reporting from Press Association.