Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford expected to return for Tottenham clash
Manchester United expect Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford to be available for their Premier League match against Tottenham at Old Trafford on October 10, but Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Sesko are serious concerns. United have five points so far and are already out of the Carabao Cup.
- Fixture: Manchester United vs Tottenham at Old Trafford on October 10
- Expected back: Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo
- Serious doubts: Patrick Dorgu (hamstring) and Benjamin Sesko (shin)
- Returning soon: Amad Diallo and Matthijs de Ligt moving closer
- Long-term absentees: Tom Heaton, Karl Darlow, Manuel Ugarte
- Context: Five points from the Premier League campaign so far and an early Carabao Cup exit
Injury and availability
Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes has played every match for United this season and featured for Portugal during the international break. He was substituted late in the win over Wales. He sat out the following game against Norway before starting in a 4-2 win over Denmark, where he provided two assists. He is expected to be available for Tottenham, though he has been playing with pain and is not fully fit.
Marcus Rashford
Rashford withdrew from England duty after picking up a knock against Fulham. The issue was described as minor and is considered manageable rather than serious. He landed awkwardly after a heavy challenge, and the international break may have aided his recovery. He is expected to be available.
Kobbie Mainoo
Mainoo also withdrew from England duty, but there has been no strong indication of an actual injury. The likelier explanation is load management. Unless something changes, he should be in line to feature against Spurs.
Patrick Dorgu
Dorgu started for Denmark against Wales and went down off the ball, leaving the pitch after half an hour. It looked like a hamstring issue. Until there is a proper update, he has to be treated as a serious doubt.
Benjamin Sesko
Sesko has suffered a flare-up of the shin problem that disrupted the end of last season and the start of this one. He started against Sabah but was missing again for the trip to Fulham. He chose not to join up with Slovenia. There is no firm return date.
Amad Diallo
Amad has not played yet this season after suffering an ankle injury in the summer. Before the international break, Carrick indicated his return was getting closer — weeks away rather than months. There is a reasonable chance he can make the squad for Tottenham.
Matthijs de Ligt
De Ligt is edging towards a comeback after a back injury suffered at Crystal Palace in November 2025. He had surgery in May and is nearing the end of a long rehabilitation. A return next month would be close to a year sidelined.
Karl Darlow
Darlow has dropped out of the Wales squad with an unspecified injury. As backup goalkeeper, his absence is not the headline issue but chips away at depth.
Tom Heaton
Heaton remains out with the hamstring problem he picked up in pre-season against Paris Saint-Germain.
Manuel Ugarte
Ugarte is recovering from surgery after tearing his ACL while on international duty with Uruguay at the World Cup. His expected return is not until spring or summer 2027, and his future is uncertain after being transfer-listed last summer.
What was said
"The medical team identified these two players as the most concerning, Nuno Mendes could be available for the game. The other case [Fernandes] involves treatment and recovery time. He's coming off an injury at United, and he told me he's been playing with that pain for the last three games, which is hindering him. It was one of the factors that prevented Bruno from playing at his best against Wales."
"We had to bring him off, as he had a bit of an issue. I'm not sure [if he's alright]."
"It was a pain in his shin. We're not sure with him yet. He felt a bit of pain after the game. We're assessing him. He definitely wasn't ready for today."
Jorge Jesus's comments confirm that Fernandes has been managing a problem rather than resolving it. The player himself admitted to playing with pain for three games. Even if he faces Tottenham, he may not be at his sharpest.
Carrick's uncertainty over Rashford was understandable immediately after Fulham, but the minor nature of the knock means the forward should recover in time. His comments on Sesko paint a less optimistic picture: the shin issue is being assessed with no clear return date.
Why United's midfield balance hinges on Fernandes and Mainoo
Bruno Fernandes is central to everything United do, and his presence against Tottenham matters even if he is not fully fit. With Kobbie Mainoo likely to feature after load management, United can field a competitive midfield. If Fernandes is limited, Mainoo's ability to carry the ball becomes even more important.
Up front, Marcus Rashford offers pace and directness. Against a Tottenham side that can be exposed in transition, his runs in behind could be United's most reliable weapon. Without him, United lack a natural outlet on the break.
The defensive concerns are more serious. Patrick Dorgu's potential hamstring injury leaves United short at left-back, while Benjamin Sesko's shin problem deprives them of a focal point in attack. Carrick may need to adjust his shape to compensate, possibly using a narrower midfield or asking a winger to play more centrally.
Talking points
- Should United risk Bruno Fernandes against Tottenham if he is still in pain, or protect him for a tougher run of fixtures?
- Is Kobbie Mainoo's withdrawal from England duty a sign of poor load management, or sensible caution for a young player?
- With Dorgu and Sesko doubtful, does Carrick have enough depth to field a balanced team against Spurs?
- Manuel Ugarte's absence until 2027 raises questions about whether United should have sold him when they had the chance.
What happens next
United host Tottenham at Old Trafford on October 10. Carrick will make late calls on Fernandes, Rashford, Dorgu and Sesko after assessing them in training this week. Victory would ease the pressure after a poor start; defeat would leave United further adrift and intensify scrutiny on the manager.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bruno Fernandes playing for Man Utd vs Tottenham?
He is expected to be available for the Tottenham match on October 10, though he has been managing a painful injury and may not be fully fit.
Will Marcus Rashford be fit to face Tottenham?
Yes, Rashford is expected to be available. He withdrew from England duty with a minor knock sustained against Fulham, but the issue is considered manageable.
How long is Manuel Ugarte out for?
Ugarte is not expected to return until spring or summer 2027 after tearing his ACL while on international duty with Uruguay at the World Cup.
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