Manchester United’s plans for Sunday’s trip to Everton have moved on since the original round-up. The Ugarte injury is the biggest change. This update, published on 5 October 2026, confirms that Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious knee injury at the World Cup. That injury has closed off any chance of a move away from Old Trafford, at least for now.
Diogo Dalot’s comments on handling pressure at the club still matter. So do Michael Carrick’s thoughts on two former United players now on the other side. Team news before kickoff rounds out the picture.
Refresh round-up: Ugarte, Dalot and Carrick
Dalot said managing expectations and dealing with outside noise can be hard at United. He explained that players must keep that noise separate from their daily work on the training ground.
He added that this is harder for players who are new to the club. They can struggle to know how to handle the attention that comes with the shirt.
Carrick spoke warmly about James Garner and Hayden Hackney ahead of Sunday’s game. Garner came through the United academy, one of many United youngsters to represent the club at age level. He later established himself elsewhere and earned an England call-up. Carrick said he had always been highly rated at United. He also recalled Hackney, who worked with him at Middlesbrough, as a fantastic young player.
Still, United will not want either man to shine on Sunday. Carrick expects a tough afternoon at Everton, despite United’s 5-2 win over Ipswich Town. He pointed to the atmosphere Everton can create and the attacking quality in David Moyes’ side. United will need to be close to their best. They cannot afford to repeat the opening-day defeat at Hull City.
What the Ugarte injury means now
A serious knee injury at the World Cup has ended any chance of a move for Manuel Ugarte, at least for now. That is what the Ugarte injury means for United’s plans this season. The transfer story that followed him through the summer is now on hold. His focus is recovery, not a move away from Old Trafford.
There is no fresh word on fitness timescales or a return date. Until Ugarte proves his fitness, neither United nor a suitor has reason to revisit the talks. United have lived through other transfer sagas before, as our transfer report and an old transfer note both show. This one, though, stays on hold for now.
What happens next
United could name an unchanged side against Everton. This is a prediction from Read Manchester United F.C., not a confirmed team sheet. Senne Lammens would start in goal. Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw would form the back four.
Kobbie Mainoo is expected to keep his place alongside Youri Tielemans in midfield. Bryan Mbeumo and Marcus Rashford would play on the wings. Bruno Fernandes is pencilled in just behind Matheus Cunha. Benjamin Sesko is likely to be an option from the bench.
Carlos Baleba, Manuel Ugarte and Amad are expected to miss out. Matthijs de Ligt is a doubt. Mason Mount and Tom Heaton face late fitness tests. United are chasing back-to-back league wins. Everton, for their part, have made the steadier start this season.
Carrick also explained why left-back Patrick Dorgu has played further forward recently, rather than in his usual position. He made clear that Dorgu can still play at left-back. But he described Dorgu as almost a new signing, after limited game time last season. He pointed to Dorgu’s versatility as the reason for using him elsewhere.
Former United striker Fraizer Campbell believes the current squad is strong enough to get United through to January. He had hoped to see more arrivals over the summer. Still, he argued that avoiding panic spending late in a window can be a strength rather than a weakness. Campbell sees a top-three finish as a fantastic target this season. A top-four finish, he says, is the bare minimum.
