Carrick sweats on Mainoo and Shaw fitness as United host Leeds with six players sidelined

Manchester United head into their Premier League meeting with Leeds carrying a six-man injury list, with manager Michael Carrick confirming late fitness tests on midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and left-back Luke Shaw before kick-off.

Mainoo did not travel with the squad for United’s midweek trip to face Atlético Madrid, and Carrick offered little clarity on his availability on Friday. “We’ll see on Luke and Kobbie,” the United manager said, leaving both players’ participation in doubt until closer to the game.

Shaw’s absence would be particularly damaging given United opted against signing a specialist left-back cover in the summer. The England international is being assessed for an undisclosed knock, with Carrick’s staff yet to determine whether he can feature.

Benjamin Sesko remains sidelined with a shin problem that has carried over from last season. Carrick said the striker is “still a little bit further away” and that the club is waiting on further checks before setting a return timeline. Patrick Dorgu, who was withdrawn during Denmark’s Nations League fixture against Wales, is expected to miss several weeks with a thigh injury — ruling him out until late November or early December at the earliest.

Noussair Mazraoui, who was taken off during Morocco’s international win over Lesotho, has now missed United’s last two matches and his return date remains unclear. Manuel Ugarte faces the longest road back: the Uruguay midfielder sustained a serious knee injury at the World Cup and is not expected to return until 2027 if his rehabilitation stays on schedule. Goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who picked up a hamstring problem before the season began, has yet to appear in a matchday squad and has no confirmed return date.

The depth of United’s absentee list adds considerable pressure to a fixture Carrick will regard as essential for points, with the club needing a positive result to maintain their early-season momentum in the Premier League.