Man United Injury Crisis: Rashford and Mainoo Doubts for Spurs Clash

Rashford and Mainoo remain doubts as Carrick deals with up to nine absentees for Tottenham clash

Manchester United head into Saturday's Premier League fixture against Tottenham at Old Trafford with Michael Carrick still awaiting fitness verdicts on Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo. Both withdrew from England duty with minor issues, while Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Sesko face longer spells out. Up to nine senior players could be missing.

Fixture: Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur
Venue: Old Trafford
Competition: Premier League
Headline team news: Rashford, Mainoo and Amad Diallo have done "a little bit" of training; Dorgu out for weeks; Sesko further away
Potential absentees: As many as nine senior players
Boost: Carlos Baleba close to making his debut

Injury and availability

Michael Carrick's squad is stretched across several positions. The following players are either out, doubtful or being managed carefully ahead of Tottenham's visit:

Marcus Rashford: Pulled out of England duty after a minor issue against Fulham. Has done a little bit of training. Not ruled in, not guaranteed to feature.
Kobbie Mainoo: Also withdrew from England duty. Workload management is the priority. Has done a little bit of training. Availability unclear.
Amad Diallo: Back doing some work but that does not automatically mean he starts.
Patrick Dorgu: Expected to be absent for weeks after a hamstring injury suffered while away with Denmark.
Benjamin Sesko: Further away with his injury and will not be ready.
Nouss Mazraoui: Took a knock and is not quite right; United will see how he is.
Matthijs de Ligt: Remains a doubt as he recovers from a back injury.
Tom Heaton: Carrying issues.
Karl Darlow: Carrying issues.
Carlos Baleba: Improving, has trained a lot and appears close to making his debut.

Carrick confirmed the scale of the problem in his pre-match press conference, admitting that United could be without as many as nine senior players. Even against a Tottenham side arriving under pressure, that is a serious issue for a manager still searching for consistency.

What was said

"It's been a long time since we sat here last."
— Michael Carrick, previewing the Tottenham clash

"Patrick (Dorgu) came off and looks like he'll be out for a number of weeks. Nouss (Mazraoui) came off and took a knock. He's not quite right, so we'll see how he is."
— Michael Carrick on Dorgu and Mazraoui

"Carlos (Baleba) is improving, has trained a lot, Amad (Diallo), Kobbie (Mainoo) and Marcus (Rashford) have done a little bit of training. Ben (Sesko) is further away with the injury he has, so he won't be ready."
— Michael Carrick on Baleba, Diallo, Mainoo, Rashford and Sesko

Carrick's update is deliberately cautious. The phrase "done a little bit of training" is not a green light. For Rashford and Mainoo, it suggests they are being assessed session by session rather than pencilled into the starting XI.

The more positive note concerns Baleba. The summer arrival has been working his way back and now appears close to a debut, which gives Carrick a genuine option in midfield if Mainoo is not ready. Dorgu's hamstring problem, picked up on Denmark duty, leaves United short at full-back for weeks rather than days.

Why Carrick's midfield and full-back decisions define the Tottenham game

With Dorgu out for weeks and Mazraoui not quite right, United's full-back positions are the immediate concern. Carrick must decide whether to field a naturally left-sided defender or shift a right-footed player across, which affects how United build out from the back. Against a Tottenham side that presses, that choice matters.

In midfield, the fitness of Kobbie Mainoo is pivotal. If he cannot start, Carlos Baleba is the obvious beneficiary and could make his debut. Baleba has trained a lot and is improving, so Carrick may gamble on him to provide legs alongside a rotated midfield. Amad Diallo offers creativity but has only done some work, so a bench role is more realistic.

Up front, Benjamin Sesko is out and Marcus Rashford is doubtful, leaving United short of attacking options. Carrick may have to rely on a narrower front line or push a midfielder higher. The absence of Matthijs de Ligt compounds the defensive reshuffle. Old Trafford will demand a performance, but Carrick's team selection is being dictated by the medical room.

Talking points

Should Carrick risk Rashford and Mainoo from the start, or protect them for a busier run of fixtures? Starting half-fit players often backfires.
Is Baleba ready to anchor the midfield against Tottenham's press, or would a more cautious approach serve United better at Old Trafford?
With Dorgu and Mazraoui struggling, is United's squad depth actually good enough to cope with nine potential absentees?
Carrick said it has been a long time since he sat in front of the media. Has the international break helped or hindered United's preparation?

What happens next

Manchester United host Tottenham at Old Trafford in the Premier League this weekend. Carrick will make late calls on Rashford, Mainoo, Diallo and Mazraoui after training, while Baleba pushes for a debut. Dorgu and Sesko are out, and De Ligt remains a doubt. The result will shape United's momentum heading into a congested run of fixtures.

Frequently asked questions

Is Marcus Rashford playing for Man United vs Tottenham?

Rashford is a doubt. He pulled out of England duty with a minor issue and has only done a little bit of training, so he is neither ruled in nor guaranteed to play.

Will Kobbie Mainoo start against Tottenham?

Mainoo is also a doubt. He withdrew from England duty for workload management and has done a little bit of training. Carrick will make a late decision.