Rashford, Martinez and six others absent as Man Utd head to Como with depleted squad

Manchester United will head to Italy for Wednesday’s Champions League fixture against Como with eight players absent from training, including Marcus Rashford and Lisandro Martinez, as Michael Carrick’s side attempt to recover from last week’s 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.

The injury situation is particularly acute in defence. Martinez missed Tuesday’s session at Carrington after picking up a thigh problem during United’s recent match against Leeds United, having been substituted at half-time. Leny Yoro is already ruled out of the Como fixture after receiving a red card against Atletico, and is working on an individual training programme. That leaves Harry Maguire as the only senior centre-back who trained with the group, with no clear partner identified ahead of the trip.

Rashford’s involvement is also in serious doubt. The forward continues to be hampered by a hip injury that kept him out of Tuesday’s session, while Luke Shaw remains sidelined after picking up a knock following United’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham a fortnight ago. Ayden Heaven and Kobbie Mainoo were also absent.

At full-back, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui appear to be the only established options available to Carrick. Academy players Harry Amass and Jaydan Kamason trained with the first team but are not expected to feature in Italy.

Benjamin Sesko and Patrick Dorgu remain unavailable through separate injuries. Sesko is dealing with a shin problem with no confirmed return date, while Dorgu has been sidelined by a suspected hamstring injury sustained on international duty with Denmark in September.

Club sources have indicated that late fitness decisions will be made on several of the absentees before the squad departs for Italy, leaving open the possibility that some could yet travel. United’s only Champions League win this season came in their opening match, a 4-0 victory over Azerbaijani side Sabah, while Cesc Fabregas’ Como have also recorded one win in the competition so far.