Amad hints at imminent United return as Carrick weighs up fresh injury concerns

Manchester United forward Amad has hinted he is nearing a return to fitness after missing the club’s last seven matches in all competitions, with manager Michael Carrick cautiously optimistic the winger will rejoin group training before the Premier League resumes.

The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international has been sidelined since picking up a problem on the eve of United’s opening Premier League fixture against Hull City. Amad had arrived back at the club later than most of his teammates after featuring in all of Ivory Coast’s matches at the World Cup over the summer, scoring in the group-stage win over Ecuador before the nation’s exit to Norway in the round of 32.

His hint at a comeback came via an Instagram story in which he shared a photo of himself at Old Trafford from last season, accompanied by an egg timer and a frustrated face emoji — a signal that his wait is nearly over. Carrick reinforced that reading ahead of the international break. “Amad, hopefully, by the time we get back, he will have trained with the group. That’s a positive,” the United manager said.

A fit Amad would be a significant addition for Carrick. The winger made 32 Premier League appearances last season, contributing two goals and four assists, and had been expected to play a central role in United’s attacking plans this term.

The international break has, however, brought fresh fitness concerns alongside the encouraging news on Amad. Right-back Noussair Mazraoui was substituted during Morocco’s win over Lesotho, while Denmark winger Patrick Dorgu was also forced off the pitch in his country’s victory over Wales. Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, and Benjamin Sesko all withdrew from their respective squads before the break even began.

There was also a scare over captain Bruno Fernandes, who missed Portugal’s win over Norway, though he subsequently returned to training ahead of Portugal’s fixture against Denmark, raising hopes he will be available when United return to action.

United host Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday, 10 October, with Carrick needing to assess the fitness of several key players in the days leading up to kick-off.