Updated introduction: Latest team news ahead of Hull City trip
This update on Manchester United’s team news was refreshed on 17 September 2026, ahead of the Premier League opener against Hull City. Michael Carrick has given his clearest picture yet of who is fit, who is close and who remains sidelined. The headline lines from our original team news report still stand, but the picture around Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko has moved on in the days since.
United go into the fixture needing bodies. Carrick has been open about the demands of a long season, and his latest press conference focused on which senior players are now back in full training rather than working alone on the sidelines.
Benjamin Sesko and Karl Darlow return to training
Benjamin Sesko is back in full training after missing the whole of pre-season with a shin injury. Karl Darlow has also returned to the group this week, giving Carrick two fresh options to call upon.
Carrick confirmed both had trained fully and were in good condition heading into the weekend. “Karl’s trained this week. He’s back training, so he’s in good shape. Matta’s obviously been out for a long period of time, but he’s training and great to have him back. He won’t be involved, but he’s in good shape and moving in a good direction,” he said, referencing Matthijs de Ligt in the same breath as Darlow.
On Sesko specifically, the manager was encouraged by the striker’s progress after a frustrating summer on the sidelines. “Ben’s back training, so that’s, again, another positive. Looking forward to having him back around the group and getting him some minutes as well,” Carrick said.
De Ligt’s return is significant given how long he has been out, but Carrick was explicit that the defender will not feature against Hull City. The plan appears to be building him up gradually rather than risking him in the opening fixture.
Mason Mount faces late fitness test
Mason Mount’s involvement at Hull City is genuinely in doubt. The midfielder picked up a knock in pre-season, and Carrick says a decision on his availability may not come until close to kick-off.
“And then managing Mason a little bit, but he’s very close, so it’s touch and go for the weekend, really, if not, going into next week,” Carrick explained. That leaves supporters facing a wait rather than a firm answer either way.
The frustration is sharpened by how well Mount had been playing before the setback. Carrick was full of praise for his pre-season form. “I think, first of all, Mason’s a top player. Top player. I think we’ve seen that so far in pre-season, he’s one of our best players in the early stages in the games that he played, and I thought he was fantastic,” he said.
Carrick was keen to play down any suggestion of a lasting problem. “So, not surprising, it’s what I’ve seen before, what I expect, what I know of him. And he’s picked up a little bit of a knock, it’s no dramas,” he added, suggesting this is a short-term issue rather than anything more serious.
Hull City vs Manchester United lineups and squad options
No confirmed Hull City vs Manchester United lineups have been announced yet, and Carrick has not revealed his starting XI. What is clear from his press conference is who is available and who is not.
Benjamin Sesko and Karl Darlow are back in training and available for selection. Matthijs de Ligt has also returned to training but is confirmed as not involved against Hull City. Mason Mount remains a doubt, with his participation described as touch and go rather than ruled out or guaranteed.
Beyond those four names, Carrick has given no indication of further injury concerns within the squad. Supporters should treat any other fitness claims doing the rounds as unconfirmed until the club or manager states otherwise.
What happens next for Carrick’s squad
Carrick’s message throughout has been about strength in numbers rather than any single selection call. With Sesko and Darlow back and De Ligt working his way through training, the manager has stressed the value of a squad that can absorb the workload of a long campaign.
“We got to have a squad that’s strong enough to have a really good, top starting team with a depth to carry us through the season,” Carrick said, underlining why returns like Sesko’s and Darlow’s matter beyond the Hull City fixture itself.
That depth question has also featured in wider debate around Old Trafford this season, including Gary Neville’s comments on the squad’s balance, and continues to shape discussion of United’s transfer market developments.
A final call on Mount is expected close to kick-off, while De Ligt’s full return will likely follow in the coming weeks rather than this weekend. Carrick’s focus remains on having enough fit, in-form players to sustain United across a demanding fixture list.
