Manchester United approaches its final pre-season friendly this Saturday against AC Milan with significant uncertainty regarding the fitness of several key first-team players. Manager Michael Carrick faces a challenging selection process as he balances the need for match sharpness with the physical well-being of his squad.
Defensive reinforcements remain a primary concern. Matthijs de Ligt has resumed light training, though he is not expected to feature against Ruben Amorim’s side. Meanwhile, Benjamin Sesko continues to be sidelined by an injury sustained late last season that has proven more persistent than initially anticipated.
Harry Maguire’s status is also unclear after he was omitted from the squad during Wednesday’s match against Leeds. It remains unconfirmed whether his absence was due to a specific injury or a tactical decision. Additionally, new signing Karl Darlow has yet to make his pre-season debut due to a minor, lingering issue.
Mason Mount’s condition is being monitored closely. After limping off during the PSG fixture, Carrick described the substitution as a precaution; however, the midfielder failed to make the bench for the subsequent match against the Yorkshire side.
There is some positive news as Marcus Rashford, Lisandro Martinez, and Kobbie Mainoo are in contention for minutes this Saturday. Whether they possess the required fitness levels to start remains uncertain, though they may play a role as the match progresses.
In the defensive line, Diogo Dalot is expected to retain his position at right-back. Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven, who performed well together on Wednesday, are likely to continue as the central defensive pairing to help Carrick finalize his plans for the upcoming season opener against Hull.
Luke Shaw is anticipated to return at left-back, replacing Harry Amass. Nous Mazraoui provides another defensive option, and Martinez may see action in the second half, provided he is fully recovered from the injury he sustained during the World Cup final.
The midfield setup is expected to see Andrey Santos partner with Youri Tielemans, with Tyler Fletcher likely dropping out. In the attacking third, Bruno Fernandes is expected to replace Josh Zirkzee, who impressed against Leeds. Matheus Cunha is slated to start on the left in place of Patrick Dorgu, while Amad and Bryan Mbeumo are expected to retain their spots on the right and up front, respectively.
Beyond the match preparations, Michael Carrick has remained firm regarding the future of Marcus Rashford, addressing the ongoing speculation surrounding the forward with a defiant stance. The club has reportedly reached a decision regarding his status, emphasizing that the manager is pleased to have him back in the fold.
In other football news, a significant error by Brazilian goalkeeper Bento proved costly for Al-Nassr this Tuesday. The team was leading 1-0 until the 53rd minute of the second half, when an ugly mistake by the keeper prevented them from securing the Saudi League title.
The Premier League has also issued a formal explanation regarding a controversial decision during the Tottenham and Leeds match. Officials clarified why Spurs were denied a penalty, noting that the midfielder was not awarded the spot-kick despite his recent return from injury.
As the summer transfer window approaches its conclusion, several high-profile players are set to become free agents. Clubs are currently evaluating their options as these significant deals are scheduled to expire at the end of next month, fueling widespread market speculation.
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With the exception of Maguire, it seems unlikely that any of these stars will be ready to start against the Rossoneri.
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