Michael Carrick's Premier League Opener with Manchester United
Michael Carrick is set for his first Premier League opener as Manchester United manager with a squad that looks stronger on paper – but not quite at full power – for Saturday’s trip to newly promoted Hull City.
The headline is up front.
Benjamin Sesko is back.
The Slovenian striker, who did not play a single minute in pre-season because of a shin problem, has returned to full training at Carrington and is pushing to be involved at the MKM Stadium. He will not start – the staff are clear about his lack of match sharpness – but his presence alone changes the feel around United’s attack.
Sesko carried the injury through the back end of last season before aggravating it in the win over Liverpool at Old Trafford in May. While United toured and played six friendlies this summer, he stayed behind, working on the training pitches and in the gym. Now he is back with the group and Carrick wants to get him “some minutes” as soon as possible.
Mason Mount
The mood is not quite as straightforward with Mason Mount.
The midfielder picked up a knock in pre-season and is rated touch-and-go for the weekend. If he misses out at Hull, he will have sat out three games, including two friendlies, despite initial suggestions the issue was minor.
Carrick, though, refused to fuel any early-season anxiety around Mount’s fitness.
He called him a “top player. Top player,” and pointed to the quality of his early pre-season performances as proof. The manager stressed the problem is “nothing major” and that United are managing him carefully so he can build and then sustain rhythm over the long campaign. Mount, he said, is “very close” and could be back immediately or early next week.
Defensive Situation
At the back, there is clarity – and a complication.
Matthijs de Ligt has been ruled out of the Hull game as he continues his recovery from back surgery. The Dutch defender is back in training and moving well, but United will not rush the final stages. Carrick described having him on the grass again as a “bonus” at this stage, yet confirmed he will not be involved on Saturday.
There is better news in goal.
New signing Karl Darlow has trained fully this week and is in contention for the squad. Carrick confirmed the experienced keeper is “in good shape” after joining up with his new teammates.
All of this feeds into the bigger picture Carrick keeps coming back to: managing a squad that can withstand the demands of a long season. He knows injuries are inevitable. The task is to have a starting XI strong enough to compete at the top, and depth robust enough to absorb the setbacks.
Hull City Match
For United, Hull away is not just another opening day. It is their first visit to the Tigers since 2017, a reminder of how long the Yorkshire club have been fighting to get back. Hull ended nine years outside the top flight by winning last season’s play-offs, and their first home game back in the Premier League will be charged, noisy and hostile.
Carrick is ready for that. He spoke of being “really encouraged” by the work done in pre-season, particularly on the training ground but also in the games. The fixtures, he said, “come thick and fast”, and United’s job is to squeeze everything out of what is in front of them.
A fit-again Sesko on the bench, Darlow available, De Ligt edging closer, Mount on the brink of a return – it is not perfect, but it is promising.
Now comes the real test of how quickly this United side can turn that promise into points.
