Manchester United continue to navigate a congested treatment room as they build toward a busy early-season schedule, with several key players at varying stages of recovery from injury.
Luke Shaw was absent for United's 4-0 Champions League victory over Sabah, with Patrick Dorgu deputising at left-back and impressing enough to be named UEFA's player of the match. Shaw had started the club's opening Premier League fixtures against Hull, Ipswich and Everton, but was withdrawn after 73 minutes in the Everton match due to cramp. Assistant manager Michael Carrick indicated the club was taking a cautious approach with the 31-year-old defender. "It's a little bit of that [managing him]," Carrick told TNT Sports ahead of the Sabah tie. "He came off the other day [at Everton] with a little bit of cramp. We didn't want to take any risks really. We tried to manage him so we will see how he is after this one." Shaw is expected to be assessed further before Friday, with United hopeful he can feature in the Manchester derby against City.
Carlos Baleba, United's £70 million summer signing from Brighton, is yet to make his debut following an ankle ligament problem sustained during the Seagulls' pre-season friendly against Strasbourg in early August. Carrick had hoped the Cameroon international might be available before the international break, but has since tempered expectations. "He's got a little ankle issue," Carrick explained. "So, maybe a couple of weeks or so, maybe three weeks, we'll see. But we knew that before, so it's no major issue." Carrick added that the club remains excited about the midfielder's arrival: "It'll be great to have him back when we can. We're delighted with Carlos. I think huge potential, massive potential. I think it's a really exciting signing for us." Baleba is unlikely to feature against City, with his first involvement possibly coming against his former club Brighton in the Carabao Cup or in the Premier League trip to Fulham.
Amad Diallo missed United's opening-day defeat at Hull after picking up an ankle injury in training, and reports suggest the winger could be sidelined for up to six weeks, potentially keeping him out until after the international break. His return could coincide with United's home fixture against Tottenham in October.
Matthijs de Ligt has not featured for United since November of last year because of a persistent lower back problem that ultimately required surgery in March, which also cost him a place at the World Cup. Carrick struck an optimistic tone regarding the Dutch defender's progress. "It's positive. Matta [De Ligt] has trained really well," he said. "I think when you're out for such a long period of time and you get right to the final stages and you push and you push, you've got to manage that last stage. It's important. We've got to get that balance right for when to take the next step. But he's on a good track, he's in a good place, and it's great to have him back around us, and hopefully it'll be sometime soon." De Ligt could potentially feature against Brighton or Fulham.
Manuel Ugarte's situation is more severe. The midfielder suffered a cruciate ligament injury while on international duty with Uruguay against Spain in June and underwent surgery, with recovery timelines suggesting he could be sidelined for the majority of the season.
Third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton has also been out of action since sustaining a hamstring injury during a pre-season friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in Sweden on August 8, with no clear timeline yet provided for his return.
Based on reporting from standard-football.