Manchester United give injury updates ahead of Hull City Premier League opener

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick delivered injury updates on Benjamin Sesko, Mason Mount, Matthijs de Ligt and Karl Darlow ahead of the club’s Premier League 2026-27 opener against Hull City at MKM Stadium on Saturday.

Sesko was United’s top scorer last season with 12 goals across all competitions and missed pre-season after suffering a shin injury following the match against Liverpool in May; Carrick confirmed the forward has returned to training and is “back around the group.” Mason Mount sustained an injury scare during a pre-season friendly with Paris Saint-Germain and is being carefully managed, while backup goalkeeper Karl Darlow — who joined from Leeds United — has trained this week but is not yet fully match-fit. Matthijs de Ligt has not played since a back injury in November, has resumed training but remains short of full fitness and will not be involved for the opener, Carrick said.

Benjamin Sesko’s return to group training is the most significant update for United’s attack after his shin problem in May; the club reiterated he missed the entirety of the pre-season programme but is trying to force his way into selection for the weekend fixture. “Ben’s back training, so that’s, again, another positive,” Carrick said in the pre-match press conference. The coach confirmed Sesko is being reintegrated with the squad with minutes a consideration ahead of the match.

Mason Mount’s availability remains uncertain as the coaching staff manage his workload following the pre-season incident against Paris Saint-Germain. Carrick said: “(We’re) managing Mason a little bit, but he’s very close, so it’s touch and go for the weekend, really, if not, going into next week,” indicating a final decision on the midfielder could come late in the selection process.

Karl Darlow will not be included in the matchday squad for the Hull City game after missing the pre-season period and only recently returning to training. Carrick reported on the goalkeeper’s progress: “Yeah, Karl’s trained this week,” Carrick said. “He’s back training, so he’s in good shape,” while confirming Darlow is not yet at the level required for selection.

Matthijs de Ligt has resumed training after a prolonged absence caused by a back injury in November but is not ready for competitive action. Carrick provided a status update on the Dutch centre-back: “Matta’s obviously been out for a long period of time, but he’s training and it’s great to have him back,” Carrick said. “He won’t be involved, but he’s in good shape and moving in a good direction, so that’s a good bonus for us really, at this stage, to have him back.”

Carrick’s remarks made clear fitness will determine selections for the opening match, and Manchester United will face Hull City at MKM Stadium on Saturday in the Premier League 2026-27 opener.