Rashford, Mainoo and Sesko all doubts as United head into international break with injury crisis

Manchester United enter the international break nursing a growing injury list, with Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Benjamin Sesko among the players raising concerns for manager Michael Carrick following Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.

The result leaves United 12th in the Premier League table and equals the club’s joint-worst start to a season, matching last term’s difficult opening run under Ruben Amorim and the 1992/93 campaign under Sir Alex Ferguson. Carrick’s side will not return to action until October 10, when Tottenham Hotspur visit Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford was substituted during the Fulham match with a hip complaint he has reportedly been managing since the World Cup. “We had to bring him off as he had a bit of an issue,” Carrick said post-match. When asked whether Rashford was alright, the manager replied: “I’m not sure.” The injury also puts his England involvement during the break in doubt.

Kobbie Mainoo played 80 minutes at Craven Cottage but is believed to be carrying a knock. Like Rashford, his participation with England’s national squad is uncertain.

Benjamin Sesko was absent against Fulham entirely. The 23-year-old striker started in the Carabao Cup against Brighton on Wednesday but reportedly felt pain in his shin afterwards. Sesko missed the entirety of pre-season recovering from a shin injury and aggravated the same issue against Liverpool in May, ruling him out for the final weeks of last season. United are currently assessing the extent of the problem.

Matthijs de Ligt travelled with the squad to west London but was left out of the matchday team. The Netherlands centre-back had surgery over the summer and is approaching the end of an almost year-long absence. United are expected to manage his return carefully to avoid any recurrence, with the Tottenham fixture seen as a realistic target for his comeback.

Amad has been sidelined since the start of the season with a foot injury. The winger suffered a similar setback for two-and-a-half months late last season, though this current issue is said to be less severe. A return in October is considered possible, though he is not as close to fitness as some of his injured teammates.