Luke Shaw faces a race to be fit for Manchester derby as United's injury list grows
Luke Shaw is a doubt for Manchester United's Premier League clash with Manchester City after missing the midweek win over Sabah. Carlos Baleba and Amad Diallo remain unavailable, while Matthijs de Ligt is nearing a return and Manuel Ugarte is a long-term absentee.
- Fixture: Manchester United vs Manchester City, Premier League
- Headline doubt: Luke Shaw (cramp) missed the Sabah match after starting United's first three league games
- Still out: Carlos Baleba (ankle ligament), Amad Diallo (ankle), Manuel Ugarte (ACL), Tom Heaton (hamstring)
- Returning soon: Matthijs de Ligt (back surgery) — not expected for City but close
- Cover: Patrick Dorgu impressed at left-back and won UEFA player of the match vs Sabah
- At stake: United's balance and control against City's movement, with Carrick short of senior options
Injury and availability
United's 4-0 win over Sabah in Europe was comfortable, but it did little to clear the treatment room. Michael Carrick still has several senior players unavailable as he prepares for the derby.
Luke Shaw is the headline concern. He missed the midweek match after starting United's first three Premier League games of the season. The issue does not look severe, but it is enough to put his status under scrutiny. Shaw was not seen in training before the Sabah fixture and his absence was no surprise by kick-off. He had come off after 73 minutes against Everton, officially with cramp, and United chose not to push it.
Carlos Baleba remains unavailable and still unseen in a United shirt. The £70 million signing from Brighton arrived with an ankle ligament injury suffered in pre-season against Strasbourg. He is unlikely to feature this weekend, with the trip to Fulham looking the most realistic target for his debut.
Manuel Ugarte remains out long term after cruciate ligament surgery following Uruguay duty in June. His return is not expected until 2027.
Amad Diallo remains sidelined after suffering an ankle problem in training before the opening day defeat at Hull. There is still no precise timeframe from Carrick, but the broad expectation is that he could miss several more weeks, potentially returning after the international break.
Matthijs de Ligt is closer to a return. He has not played since November last year because of a lower back issue that initially was treated as manageable and eventually required surgery in March. Carrick's comments suggest progress without promising too much. Brighton in the cup or Fulham away look more realistic than City at home.
Tom Heaton is also still out after a hamstring injury picked up in pre-season. As third-choice goalkeeper, his absence does not shape the derby, but it does thin the squad further.
What was said
"It's a little bit of that [managing him]. He came off the other day [at Everton] with a little bit of cramp. We didn't want to take any risks really. We tried to manage him so we will see how he is after this one."
"He's got a little ankle issue. So, maybe a couple of weeks or so, maybe three weeks, we'll see. But we knew that before, so it's no major issue. It'll be great to have him back when we can. We're delighted with Carlos. I think huge potential, massive potential. I think it's a really exciting signing for us."
"It's positive. Matta [De Ligt] has trained really well. I think when you're out for such a long period of time and you get right to the final stages and you push and you push, you've got to manage that last stage. It's important. We've got to get that balance right for when to take the next step. But he's on a good track, he's in a good place, and it's great to have him back around us, and hopefully it'll be sometime soon."
Carrick's public stance is consistent: United will not gamble on players who are not fully ready, even with City next. That is sensible management across a long season, but it also leaves him short of senior options for a derby.
The Shaw situation is the most delicate. He offers balance on the left, experience in possession and a degree of control that others in the squad do not always provide. There is a difference between being fit enough for the bench and fit enough to deal with City's movement for 90 minutes.
Why Dorgu gives Carrick a genuine choice
Patrick Dorgu stepped in at left-back against Sabah and took his chance well, producing a performance that caught the eye and earned the official UEFA player of the match award. Useful for him, useful for Carrick, but the real question is whether United can afford to go into a Manchester derby without one of their senior defenders.
Replacing Shaw for one game in Europe is one thing. Replacing him against City is another. Dorgu's display gives Carrick cover; it does not solve the problem. Against a side that moves the ball quickly and attacks space, the left-back's positioning and decision-making under pressure matter as much as raw pace.
In midfield, Baleba was signed for his athleticism, intensity and ability to cover ground. Those are useful qualities in any game, especially against City. Without him, United lose some of the running power that could disrupt City's rhythm. With Ugarte also out, the midfield is thinner than Carrick would like.
Youri Tielemans was withdrawn at half-time on Thursday, though the context mattered, with Mason Mount given the second half to build fitness. It did not look like panic, but with City next, every substitution invites inspection.
Talking points
- Is it worth risking Shaw for the derby, or should Carrick trust Dorgu after his player-of-the-match display against Sabah?
- Without Baleba and Ugarte, does United have enough legs in midfield to stop City controlling the game at Old Trafford?
- Should United rush De Ligt back for City, or is the more sensible target Brighton in the cup or Fulham away?
- Has Amad's absence been underestimated? His one-against-one quality is exactly what United lack when games become rigid.
What happens next
Carrick will wait on Shaw's fitness before finalising his XI for the Manchester derby. United then host Brighton in the Carabao Cup before travelling to Fulham before the international break. De Ligt and Baleba are more likely to feature in those games than against City. A defeat to City would increase scrutiny on United's early-season rhythm, especially with key signings still unavailable.
Frequently asked questions
Is Luke Shaw fit to play against Manchester City?
Shaw missed the Sabah match with cramp and is a doubt. Carrick said United did not want to take risks and would see how he is after the game, so a late decision is expected.
When will Carlos Baleba make his Manchester United debut?
Baleba is still out with the ankle ligament injury he suffered in pre-season against Strasbourg. Carrick suggested a couple of weeks or maybe three, with the trip to Fulham looking the most realistic target.
Is Matthijs de Ligt available for the Manchester derby?
De Ligt has trained well and is on a good track after back surgery, but Carrick indicated United must manage the final stage of his recovery. He is not expected to face City, with Brighton or Fulham more realistic.
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