United face nine absentees for Ipswich clash as Carrick seeks first Premier League win

Manchester United welcome Ipswich Town to Old Trafford in their second Premier League fixture of the season, with manager Michael Carrick under pressure to deliver a first win after a comprehensive 2-0 loss to Hull City on the opening day.

Carrick confirmed that Amad Diallo will again be unavailable, the Ivorian winger continuing to recover from a minor training injury that also kept him out against Hull. “Amad won’t be involved, he’ll be out for a little bit longer,” the United manager said.

Mason Mount remains sidelined but is showing signs of progress. “Mase is back around the group, he trained this week, so a real positive,” Carrick noted, though the midfielder will not feature on Saturday. New £75 million signing Carlos Baleba, who arrived from Brighton and Hove Albion, is also unavailable due to an ankle issue. Carrick said the club were aware of the problem before completing the deal: “He’s got a little ankle issue, so maybe a couple of weeks or so, three weeks. It’s no major issue.”

Dutch centre-back Matthijs de Ligt remains a long-term absentee but is edging closer to a return. “He’s training and it’s great to have him back. He won’t be involved, but he’s in good shape and moving in a good direction,” Carrick said. Backup goalkeeper Tom Heaton is also out, having sustained an injury during a pre-season friendly against PSG, with no return date given.

Ipswich, who arrive at Old Trafford on the back of an opening-day win over Sunderland despite being heavy underdogs, are themselves without four players. Winger Jaden Philogene is sidelined with an ankle injury, while midfielder Florentino Luis is out with a calf problem. Azor Matusiwa misses out again with a thigh injury, and Jack Taylor continues to nurse a knee problem that kept him out of the season opener.

The match pits two newly-promoted sides against each other in what is United’s second such fixture in as many weeks, with Gary O’Neil’s Ipswich looking to build on their encouraging start to life back in the top flight.