Manchester United vs Ipswich Town: Carrick Seeks Response
Manchester United walk into their second Premier League game already under pressure. A 2-0 defeat on the opening day, and it was newly-promoted Hull City who handed it to them.
Hull, up through the playoffs, made United look like the side still finding its feet at this level. Michael Carrick cannot afford a repeat. Not at Old Trafford. Not against another promoted club in Ipswich Town.
This weekend is about control, authority, and a squad still piecing itself together.
Baleba arrives, but may have to wait
Since that bruising loss to Hull, United have moved to address a glaring issue. Carlos Baleba has arrived from Brighton and Hove Albion, the first genuine specialist defensive midfielder in this squad.
He is the profile they have been missing. But he may not be the solution just yet.
Baleba picked up an ankle ligament injury during Brighton’s pre-season. The expectation is that he will be back to full fitness before the end of September, working individually before joining full sessions. For now, Ipswich may come too soon.
His targeted return is around Saturday, 10 October, when United face Tottenham Hotspur. Until then, Carrick must patch together a midfield balance without his new anchor.
Amad blow adds to attacking frustration
Amad’s absence was already felt against Hull. The winger missed that game after featuring in United’s final pre-season outing against AC Milan, and the update since has not been kind.
Roundtable understands he could be sidelined for up to six weeks after suffering an injury in training. That rules him out of Ipswich and likely several more league fixtures.
The pencilled-in return? Also Saturday, 10 October, against Tottenham. For a side that looked short of ideas and incision in the final third on opening weekend, losing a creative wide option for that length of time stings.
Mount edging back towards action
There is at least one brighter note for Carrick.
Mason Mount, who limped out before the 20-minute mark against Paris Saint-Germain after a knock to the foot, has stepped up his recovery. He left that PSG match walking freely, but still missed the subsequent games against Leeds United, AC Milan and Hull City.
He was described as “touch and go” for Hull. He didn’t make it. Now, Sam Cohen reports that Mount has trained with the first-team squad ahead of the Ipswich clash.
That puts him in contention for Sunday, 30 August, when Ipswich visit Old Trafford. Whether he starts or comes from the bench, his movement and energy between the lines could be crucial for a side that looked flat and predictable last time out.
De Ligt’s long road back
At the back, the long-running Matthijs de Ligt saga continues.
The Dutch defender has not played since suffering a back injury in November 2025. At the time, Rúben Amorim suggested he could be back after just a week. That optimism has long since faded.
De Ligt has now been seen training with the first-team group, but this appears to be only the early phase of his rehabilitation. With back injuries, United will not take risks.
The current estimate is a return in late October. Until then, Carrick must rely on his existing defensive options, still searching for the solidity that deserted them against Hull.
Same squad, different statement?
Strip it all back and the picture for Ipswich is clear.
The squad is likely to look very similar to the one that travelled to Hull City. Baleba is unlikely to be ready. Amad is out. De Ligt remains on the comeback trail. Mount is the main variable, pushing to be involved.
Carrick, though, will demand that the performance looks nothing like last weekend’s. Ipswich arrive as another newly-promoted side. United cannot afford to let them look like the established force.
