Man United Injury Update Ahead of Hull Opener

Manchester United’s pre-season ended with a defeat and a deep breath.

Michael Carrick’s side were beaten by AC Milan in their final warm-up game on Saturday, but the bigger storyline sat around the treatment table rather than the scoreline. Several senior players were already missing, and for a few worrying moments it looked as if another name might be added.

Cunha scare eases

Matheus Cunha briefly silenced United’s bench and travelling support when he went down under a challenge and needed attention from the medical staff. He stayed down, was checked over, and for a moment the mood dipped.

Then he got up and carried on.

Cunha played on until just after the hour, showed no obvious discomfort and moved freely before being replaced. The club view it as a minor knock, nothing more, and he is expected to be available for the Premier League opener away to Hull City on August 22.

Injury: Knock

Likely return: Hull (A), August 22

De Ligt back on the grass but no date yet

At the other end of the scale sits Matthijs de Ligt, out since November after back surgery and still working his way back.

The defender has stepped up his rehabilitation, returning to work on the grass and travelling with the squad to their training camp in the Republic of Ireland this week. That’s a significant step, but United have not put a timeline on when he will be ready for competitive action.

For now, his status remains day-to-day, with cautious optimism but no firm target.

Injury: Back

Likely return: Unknown

Heaton facing weeks out

Tom Heaton’s setback has turned out to be more than a minor twinge.

The goalkeeper injured his hamstring in the friendly against PSG in Gothenburg. At the time, it looked routine: Heaton came off, Dermot Mee came on, and there was little visible alarm on the touchline.

Subsequent assessments have painted a different picture. Heaton is expected to miss at least a few weeks while he awaits full clarity on the severity of the problem, and United are planning without him for the start of the league campaign.

Injury: Hamstring

Likely return: Everton (H), September 6

Mount a doubt for Hull but not far away

When Mason Mount walked off less than 20 minutes into the same PSG game, the mood around United darkened. Early fears of a serious issue eased quickly once he was seen leaving the stadium without a limp, but his absence has dragged on longer than hoped.

Mount has missed both of United’s final two friendlies, against Leeds and Milan. That lack of minutes leaves him unlikely to go straight into the starting XI at Hull, though there is still hope he could make the matchday squad if he progresses well in the coming days.

Injury: Foot

Likely return: Hull (A), August 22

Sesko still short, Mbeumo to lead the line

Benjamin Sesko’s wait goes on.

The Slovenian striker has been out since suffering a shin injury in the win over Liverpool in early May. The internal plan had been for him to feature in at least one of the late pre-season friendlies to sharpen up before the league campaign, but his omission from the Milan squad underlined that this target has been missed.

Match sharpness is now the major concern. With Sesko having gone so long without playing, Bryan Mbeumo is all but guaranteed to start at Hull. For Sesko, a realistic aim might be a place in the squad for the trip to Ipswich the following week, if his recovery continues to move in the right direction.

Injury: Shin

Likely return: Ipswich (A), August 30

Ugarte facing the long road back

The most serious case on United’s list is Manuel Ugarte.

The midfielder suffered a major knee ligament injury while playing for Uruguay in their World Cup defeat to Spain in June, leaving the pitch on a stretcher on one of the biggest nights of his international career.

Ugarte later addressed the blow in an emotional message on social media, describing it as “the most serious injury a footballer can face” and vowing to come back stronger after “hitting rock bottom”. United are planning on a long absence, with a projected return not expected until 2027.

Injury: Knee ligament

Likely return: 2027

Darlow still waiting for his first involvement

New signing Karl Darlow is also yet to be seen in a United shirt.

The goalkeeper has been managing a pre-existing issue since arriving at the club and did not feature in any of the pre-season squads. The problem is not thought to be serious, but United have opted for caution, keeping him in rehab work rather than risking a setback before the campaign begins.

Injury: Undisclosed

Likely return: To be confirmed

United now head into Hull week with a clearer picture: a scare averted with Cunha, Mount close but not quite there, Sesko behind schedule, and De Ligt, Ugarte and Heaton on longer, very different paths.

Carrick’s first team-sheet of the season will say plenty about who has really made it through this summer intact.