Manchester United go into the last week of September 2026 in far better shape than they were a fortnight ago, even if several first-team names remain out of Michael Carrick’s matchday squad. This update, published on 19 September 2026, covers the fitness picture after United’s 5-2 win over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford and ahead of the trip to Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
H2: September 2026 Manchester United injury update
United beat Ipswich Town 5-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick and Bryan Mbeumo adding a fifth after Jacob Greaves put through his own net. It was a result that papered over a squad list still carrying five significant absentees.
Carlos Baleba, Mason Mount, Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte all missed out against Ipswich. Their situations differ sharply, from players closing in on a return to one who is still many weeks away.
H2: Squad fitness status following Ipswich victory
Mason Mount suffered a foot injury before the 20-minute mark against Paris Saint-Germain and has since sat out matches against Leeds United, AC Milan and Hull City. He has now returned to full training, a point Michael Carrick confirmed directly.
“Mase (Mount) is back around the group, which was great. Trained this week, so that’s a big positive for us.”
Amad Diallo’s issue came later. He picked up a training injury following the pre-season match against AC Milan and missed the Hull City fixture as a result. Initial scans pointed to an absence of up to six weeks, so United are not expecting him back imminently.
Matthijs de Ligt’s situation has moved on considerably since he underwent back surgery in November 2025. The centre-back has resumed training with the first team, a clear step forward after almost a year on the sidelines.
Manuel Ugarte remains the longest-term absentee of the group. He suffered an ACL injury while playing for Uruguay at the World Cup and had surgery soon after, with his recovery estimated at around nine months. There is no suggestion that timeline has shortened.
H2: Is Carlos Baleba injured or ready to play for Manchester United?
Carlos Baleba is not fully ready to play for Manchester United. He joined the club from Brighton despite carrying an ankle ligament issue sustained during pre-season, and he has not yet featured for United as a result.
Baleba watched the Ipswich Town win from the stands alongside Mason Mount, with neither midfielder named in the matchday squad. His absence is a straightforward consequence of the ankle problem he arrived with rather than a new setback, and there is no confirmed return date beyond that.
United have not put a specific timeline on Baleba’s recovery, and this update does not speculate on when he might be involved. Supporters are advised to treat any return date beyond his current absence as unconfirmed until the club says otherwise.
H2: What happens next
Michael Carrick’s attention now turns to Everton away at Hill Dickinson Stadium, United’s next fixture on the calendar. Mount’s return to training is the clearest positive heading into that game, giving Carrick a fresh option in midfield even if he is eased back gradually.
Amad and De Ligt both represent medium-term boosts rather than immediate ones, with De Ligt’s return to first-team training the more advanced of the two. Ugarte’s nine-month recovery window means he is not expected to factor into United’s plans for some time yet.
Baleba’s situation is the one to watch closely. Once his ankle allows him to train and be included in a squad, his signing from Brighton should start to look like the boost United hoped for when they pursued him despite the injury risk. For the full context on how these issues first emerged, United’s original injury update from Michael Carrick remains a useful reference point.
For now, Carrick has a squad trending in the right direction, with one confirmed return, two players in advanced stages of their recovery, and two more who will need patience. The Everton trip will offer the first real test of how much that improving fitness picture translates into matchday options.
