Michael Carrick on Squad Fitness for Manchester United's Opener

Michael Carrick expects Benjamin Sesko to rejoin his matchday squad for Manchester United’s Premier League opener at Hull on Saturday, but Mason Mount is a doubt and Matthijs de Ligt has been ruled out.

Sesko has not kicked a ball in pre-season while recovering from a shin injury that flared up in May’s win over Liverpool at Old Trafford. The striker played through the problem at the back end of last season, only for it to worsen and keep him at Carrington while United travelled for six summer friendlies.

This week, though, he has finally been back in full training.

Carrick will not throw him straight into the starting XI at the MKM Stadium – Sesko lacks match sharpness – but his return is a timely lift for a squad already juggling fitness issues.

“Ben [Sesko] is back training. So that's again another positive,” Carrick said. “Looking forward to having him back around the group and getting him some minutes as well.”

Mount touch-and-go, De Ligt out

The picture is less clear with Mount. What was initially described as a minor knock has already cost him two pre-season friendlies. If he misses Hull, it will be three games out.

“And then we are managing Mason [Mount] a little bit, but he's very close,” Carrick explained. “So it's touch-and-go for the weekend really, if not going into next week.”

Carrick moved quickly to shut down any concern over Mount’s wider injury record, stressing his importance and insisting the current issue is minor.

“I think, first of all, Mason is a top player. Top player,” he said. “He was one of our best players in the early stages in the games that he played in. I thought he was fantastic.

“He's picked up a little bit of a knock. There's no drama. It's maybe been a week or so, 10 days or whatever it's been. So it's nothing major.

“Of course, he's missed some football over recent years and he wants to be fit, he wants to be in that full rhythm, and he wants to stay fit. So we're doing our best to help him do that.

“We've got to have a squad that's strong enough to have a really good top starting team with the depth to carry us through the season. Mason will be back very, very soon, if not immediately, so it's all good.”

At the back, De Ligt will not feature. The Dutch defender is working his way back from back surgery and has only just rejoined training.

“Matt [De Ligt] has obviously been out for a long period of time, but he's training and great to have him back,” Carrick said. “Well, he won't be involved, but he's in good shape and moving in a good direction. So that's really a good bonus for us really at this stage to have him back.”

Darlow in contention, Hull return after nine years

There is better news in goal. New signing Karl Darlow has trained all week and is in contention to be named in the squad.

“Yeah, Karl [Darlow] has trained this week. He's back training, so he's in good shape,” Carrick confirmed.

United head to Hull for the first time since 2017, facing a club back in the top flight after nine years away. The Tigers climbed out of the Championship via the play-offs last season and will treat the visit of United as a statement occasion.

Carrick, though, sounded calm and quietly upbeat about what his side have built over the summer.

“As you'd expect, really looking forward to another season, you know,” he said. “They come thick and fast, so it's about making the most of everything that's in front of us really.

“Really encouraged with the work we've done in pre-season on the training ground, mostly in the games I think's been really good. So yeah, very much looking forward to the first game and a tough one on Saturday.”

Hull’s return, United’s first steps, and a handful of key fitness calls: Carrick’s season starts with decisions that could set the tone for what follows.