Manchester United have little time to reflect on their contentious derby defeat to Manchester City, with the Carabao Cup offering an immediate chance to bounce back. Head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy's assistant, or in this case interim boss Michael Carrick, has stressed the need to move forward quickly, with United hosting Brighton in the third round of the competition on Wednesday night.
Ahead of that fixture, Carrick provided the media with updates on several first-team players working their way back from injury.
Luke Shaw missed United's Champions League victory over Sabah but the issue is not considered serious, and the left-back could be in contention to face Brighton. "Luke could be available," Carrick said. "He could possibly be fit for Brighton but we'll see. It's not clear cut but it's a matter of a few days rather than anything else." A potential return is being targeted for September 16 against Brighton at Old Trafford.
There is less clarity around Carlos Baleba, who is yet to make his United debut following his £70 million move from Brighton. The Cameroon international arrived at the club already carrying an ankle ligament problem sustained during Brighton's pre-season friendly against Strasbourg in early August. Carrick had previously hoped Baleba might be available before the international break, and gave a similarly cautious timeline this week. "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." He added: "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 not expected to feature against his former club in the cup, with a possible involvement penciled in for United's Premier League clash with Tottenham on October 10.
Amad Diallo's situation remains more uncertain. Initial assessments suggested the winger could be sidelined for up to six weeks, and Carrick offered a downbeat update following the loss to City. "Amad is not quite close, in terms of days [away] from returning," he said. With the player yet to return to full training, he will definitely miss United's upcoming trip to Fulham, and no firm return date has been set.
Matthijs de Ligt continues his recovery from back surgery undergone in May. There was a brief scare when the defender was absent from training ahead of the Champions League tie against Sabah, but this was later clarified as a scheduled rest day rather than a setback. Carrick was reluctant to put a specific timeframe on the Dutchman's comeback. "We'll see as the week progresses but Matta is just working his way back really," he said. "So I don't want to, because of the timeframe on it, and how it's been, I don't want to really put too much of a timeframe on it."
Manuel Ugarte's season has yet to begin. The midfielder suffered a ligament injury while on international duty with Uruguay during their World Cup campaign, having been stretchered off in a group-stage defeat to Spain. His recovery timeline remains uncertain, though he is not expected back until 2027.
Finally, third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in a pre-season friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in Sweden on August 8, and no clear return date has been given for the veteran shot-stopper.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (football).