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Michael Carrick delivered a mixed injury update on Friday. The Manchester United boss confirmed that Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Šeško will miss the upcoming match against Tottenham Hotspur, while Carlos Baleba is set to make his first appearance for the club.
The last thing Manchester United needed heading into the international break was further injury concerns. The Red Devils were already managing a lengthy list of absentees, and the situation only deteriorated over the following three weeks.
Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford both withdrew from England's squad after picking up knocks during the team's 1–1 stalemate with Fulham. Šeško also pulled out of Slovenia's setup due to a persistent shin problem.
Dorgu subsequently suffered a hamstring injury while on duty with the Netherlands, and Noussair Mazraoui was shortly recalled from Morocco's camp. Meanwhile, Baleba, Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Karl Darlow, and Tom Heaton all continued to sit on the sidelines.
Carrick did little to lift spirits at Old Trafford when he delivered concerning injury news on the eve of United's showdown with Spurs. "Patrick came off and it looks like he will be out for probably a number of weeks," the 45-year-old stated.
"[Mazraoui] came off and took a knock. He's not quite right yet, so we'll see how he is. Ben is further away, with the issue he has got. He won't be ready."
The Silver Lining for Saturday's Clash
Not everything from Carrick's pre-match press conference was gloomy. The English manager offered some encouraging updates on several of his players ahead of Tottenham's visit.
"Carlos is improving," Carrick said. "He's trained a lot and is improving. Amad has done a little bit of training, Marcus has done a little bit of training, Kobbie has done a little bit of training.
"So it's a little bit mixed really."
Among the four players Carrick referenced, Baleba is the furthest along in his rehabilitation. The midfielder, who completed a move from Brighton & Hove Albion in a deal valued at up to £70 million ($92.6 million) in August, had been managing an ankle problem even before settling in Manchester.
As the most costly of United's three midfield additions this summer, Baleba arrives carrying significant expectations, particularly given that fellow newcomer Andrey Santos has struggled to find his footing thus far.
Baleba can now begin justifying United's substantial investment in him. The Red Devils are eager for the 22-year-old to make an immediate impact, utilizing his pace to cover ground and neutralize threats before they reach Carrick's vulnerable defensive line.
Carrick Faces Another Defensive Headache
While far from ideal, Carrick can find adequate replacements for several of his injured players; Baleba can slot in for Mainoo if necessary, Matheus Cunha can lead the attack in Šeško's absence, and Amad's unavailability on the right is something of a familiar scenario at this stage. Shea Lacey also provides an option up front should Rashford require additional recovery time.
The real concern lies at the back. United have managed just one clean sheet in seven matches across all competitions this season—achieved against Sabah in the Champions League. Against English sides, Carrick's team has conceded 11 goals across six outings.
The injuries to Dorgu and Mazraoui only deepen an already troubling situation. Diogo Dalot remains the sole fit option at right back, and any further setback to the Portugal international would leave United facing a genuine crisis on that flank.
The encouraging news is that Spurs have been woeful in attack. Roberto De Zerbi's side have managed just two Premier League goals so far this campaign, a pattern United will be hoping persists come Saturday.
United are desperate to claim all three points from this high-profile fixture following a disappointing start to the season. Carrick's side have already been eliminated from the Carabao Cup and sit 12th in the table with just five points from five league games.