Baleba and Amad near returns as United face Tottenham with four players still sidelined

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick received a timely injury boost during the international break, with summer signing Carlos Baleba and winger Amad both edging closer to availability ahead of the Premier League visit of Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday, 10 October.

Baleba, who joined from Brighton in a £70 million deal, is yet to make his competitive debut after sustaining an ankle injury. The 22-year-old midfielder was named in the squad for the draw with Fulham but remained an unused substitute. He has since taken part in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Lausanne-Sport at Carrington, raising the prospect of a first appearance against Spurs.

Amad has been absent since suffering a knock on the eve of the Premier League opener against Hull City and has not featured at all this season. Carrick indicated the winger could rejoin full group training before the Tottenham fixture, describing the development as “a positive”.

Elsewhere, the picture is less encouraging. Striker Benjamin Sesko missed all of pre-season with a shin problem, started the Carabao Cup tie against Brighton before being withdrawn at half-time, and then pulled out of the Slovenia squad during the break. Writing on Instagram, Sesko said: “I am very sorry that I will have to miss the national team’s upcoming matches. Right now, the most important thing is to focus fully on my recovery.” No return date has been set.

Wing-back Patrick Dorgu lasted just 30 minutes of Denmark’s clash with Wales before being substituted with a thigh injury and subsequently withdrew from international duty altogether. His availability for the Tottenham game remains uncertain.

Defender Matthijs de Ligt continues his recovery from a long-term back problem. Carrick has been cautious about setting expectations, saying only that De Ligt is “working his way back” without committing to a timeframe.

United return to Premier League action against Spurs with their injury list still significant, though the potential returns of Baleba and Amad offer Carrick more options in attack and midfield than he has had at any point this season.