Three players guaranteed miss Chelsea-Man Utd clash
Manchester United will be without Manuel Ugarte, Benjamin Sesko and Luke Shaw for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Chelsea, while Kobbie Mainoo has returned…
Manchester United will be without three players guaranteed miss Saturday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea, but Kobbie Mainoo’s return to training gives Michael Carrick a timely boost. Manuel Ugarte, Benjamin Sesko and Luke Shaw are unavailable for the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Mainoo has missed United’s previous four matches with a muscular complaint. His return puts him in contention to feature, although Saturday’s game may come too soon for him to start.
The midfielder’s possible availability comes as Carrick faces pressure after United’s recent results. The team lost 4-1 to Como in the Champions League and were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth in their last Premier League match.
Mainoo returns as United assess midfield
United have had to adjust in midfield during Mainoo’s absence. Former Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba have been used, with Baleba recovering from an ankle problem as Mainoo dealt with his own injury.
United have missed Mainoo’s calmness in the middle of the pitch. His return to training offers another option, but the club still has to assess whether he is ready to play a full part against Chelsea.
Shaw also remains unavailable. Diogo Dalot has operated at left-back in his absence, and Shaw was not seen at Carrington on Wednesday after being forced off during the 1-1 draw with Tottenham.
Sesko’s absence expected to stretch into 2027
Sesko has been dealing with an ongoing shin issue since May. The Athletic reported he is expected to remain sidelined until 2027, with United’s medical team determining that an extended period of rest is needed for the injury to heal properly.
Carrick said the striker was still undergoing checks before the club could provide a timeline. “Ben is kind of still undergoing a couple of checks before we update on timelines. We're just trying to be clear with what that looks like. He's still a little bit further away, but when we know, we'll let you know.”
The club announced in mid-September that Sesko would undergo medical assessments following the loss to Brighton. Carrick gave the same update a month later, leaving United without a clear return date as they prepare for the Chelsea fixture.
Chelsea also have fitness concerns
Chelsea are looking to respond after losing to Liverpool on penalties in the Carabao Cup. Reece James, Emiliano Martinez and Joao Pedro are sidelined, while Maxence Lacroix could also be unavailable after hobbling off against Liverpool with a hamstring complaint.
Pep Chavarria and Jamie Gittens are recovering from injuries. Emmanuel Emegha, who had been out for several weeks, returned as a substitute at Anfield. Cole Palmer is available after serving his league suspension during the cup match.
Marcus Rashford has been managing a hip complaint and was absent from photographs, but has been doing individual sessions in the gym. Carrick has suggested the forward is nearing a return.
Mainoo’s training return is the immediate positive for United, though his readiness to start remains uncertain. Sesko’s expected absence until 2027 leaves the striker among the three players unavailable for Saturday.
Source: football.london
