Sesko and De Ligt Boost Manchester United Before Premier League Opener

Manchester United’s final week of preparation for the new Premier League season has been handed a badly needed jolt of optimism: Benjamin Sesko and Matthijs de Ligt are back in full training.

Just hours before the league campaign gets underway, both players completed a full session with the group, offering a significant boost to Michael Carrick and his staff as they piece together plans for the opener against Hull City.

De Ligt back after long road from back surgery

For De Ligt, this was more than just another training session. It was his first full involvement since undergoing back surgery in May, a procedure that followed the injury he picked up last November.

Since 30 November, the Dutch defender has been largely a spectator. The layoff cost him a place at the World Cup finals and limited him to just 15 minutes of group work during United’s training camp in Dublin last week.

This time he stayed on. No early exit, no managed minutes. A full session, and a clear step forward for a player United expect to anchor their defence this season.

Sesko sharp and pushing for Hull

Sesko’s return carries its own significance. The forward missed all of United’s pre-season matches while recovering from a lower leg injury, the same problem that ruled him out of the final three games of last season.

He has spent much of the summer working alone on the grass, building fitness away from the cameras. On Tuesday morning, he finally rejoined the main group — and, by all accounts, looked sharp.

Inside the club there is growing confidence he could be involved in the squad against Hull City next Saturday. United have been short of attacking options at times; a fit Sesko changes the picture.

Mount precautionarily sidelined

One notable figure did not join in. Mason Mount sat out the session after taking a stamp on his foot in the 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in Stockholm.

The injury has been described as a bruise rather than anything more serious. Club sources, quoted by British outlet The Sun, stressed his absence is purely precautionary, even though he has now missed the final friendlies of pre-season against Leeds United and Milan.

United will hope the decision to wrap him in cotton wool this week pays off once competitive games begin to stack up.

Transfer business still to come

While the medical room starts to clear, the recruitment department remains busy. United still plan to bring in at least two more signings before the summer window closes.

Left-back is a clear priority. Several options are under review, with Lewis Hall emerging as the preferred choice for that role.

The club also want a high-calibre defensive midfielder to sit alongside or compete with new arrivals Youri Tielemans and Andre Santos. The spine is being rebuilt, piece by piece.

With De Ligt and Sesko finally back on the grass and more reinforcements expected, United’s season is edging into focus. The question now is whether this late surge of fitness and transfer activity can carry them through the opening weeks, or if more twists still lie ahead.