Manchester United’s preparations to face Tottenham Hotspur this weekend are taking shape, and two players may not be involved.
Michael Carrick and his staff are preparing the Manchester United team for battle against Tottenham this weekend. Two first team stars could be missing.
United’s players were pictured in training at Carrington, with 17-year-old Yuel Helafu and JJ Gabriel, 15, among those present.
Two key stars were absent, and it is becoming a trend. Matthijs de Ligt and Mason Mount were both missing from the session as their injury troubles continue.
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Matthijs de Ligt’s long road back
Matthijs de Ligt has not played for Manchester United since the 2-1 away win over Crystal Palace on November 30.
His injury was originally expected to be a short-term problem, with De Ligt reported to have a back issue.
Speaking at his press conference ahead of the Arsenal game, Michael Carrick tried his best to explain De Ligt’s situation and offer a timeline for a return.
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“He had a bit of a setback before I arrived, only small, but he was a little bit slower than we had liked. He’s getting closer, and hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, he will be back and around it.”
At present De Ligt is still not fit enough to train. Fortunately he is the only centre-back out with injury at present, with Harry Maguire recovering from his problem.
De Ligt scored United’s equaliser in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham in the last meeting and he had been the club’s best defender in the opening months of the season.
That makes his ongoing injury problems more frustrating. It is his second major spell out with injury since arriving at the club in 2024.
De Ligt’s injury at the end of last season saw him miss out on the Europa League Final, a potentially costly absence.
Man Utd HAVE to turn this record around vs Spurs this time…
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Mason Mount’s on-off problems
Mason Mount did feature in the opening game under Michael Carrick, coming off the bench to score a goal that was disallowed in stoppage time.
Carrick says he is a big fan of Mason Mount, however, the club’s number seven is out with another injury.
Mount was an unused substitute against Arsenal, but failed to make the squad for the Fulham fixture.
Speaking ahead of the Fulham game, Carrick said: “He took a bit of a knock in training, but it’s nothing serious.
“We’re disappointed he is not with us today but he’ll be back very soon.”
Mount is yet to return, and while he could pop up in training before the weekend, United fans are well used to his absences at this point.
This is Mount’s third spell out with injury this season, although fortunately both previous times have only been brief spells on the sidelines.
The previous one was frustrating as it came at a point United were relying on him, with Bruno Fernandes suffering a rare injury in late December. Mount then compounded the issue.
This season he has actually played more than previously, making 10 Premier League starts, compared to 13 combined across his first two seasons at the club.
It would be helpful to Mount’s cause if he could finish the season strongly, with United set for another squad makeover in midfield this summer.