Carrick uncertain on Sesko return as Dorgu and Mazraoui join United's injury list

Michael Carrick has conceded he has no firm timeline for Benjamin Sesko’s return to fitness, with the Manchester United head coach also confirming that Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui are doubts for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Tottenham Hotspur.

Sesko, 23, withdrew from Slovenia international duty last month with a shin problem, having already missed United’s draw with Fulham before the international break. It is the second leg injury the striker has sustained since joining from RB Leipzig, with a similar issue costing him three months of last season. Carrick was careful to stress the current problem is not a recurrence of the same injury, but acknowledged the situation remains unclear.

“It’s not the exact issue, it’s a similar area, but it’s not the exact same thing again,” Carrick said. “We’re kind of still working through it a little bit to see how long the issue will be. We’re hoping that it’ll be soon, obviously, but at this moment it’s still not quite clear.”

The United boss delivered further unwelcome news on the defensive front. Dorgu picked up a knock and is expected to miss a number of weeks, while Mazraoui sustained an issue during Morocco’s international fixtures and has not yet recovered. “Patrick came off and looks like he’ll be out for probably a number of weeks,” Carrick said. “Nous came off and took a knock. He’s not quite right yet, so we’ll have to see how he is.”

Sesko has made 38 appearances for United in all competitions since his arrival, contributing 14 goals.

There are some positive signs in the squad, however. Summer signing Carlos Baleba could make his debut after joining from Brighton, while Amad, Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo are all in contention to feature. “Carlos has improved, he’s trained a lot,” Carrick said. “Amad’s done a little bit of training, Marcus has done a little bit of training, Kobbie has done a little bit of training. So, a little bit mixed really between the group.”

Following the Tottenham fixture, United turn their attention to a Champions League trip to face Atlético Madrid in Spain, before a Premier League derby against Leeds United at Elland Road the following Sunday.