Manchester United manager Michael Carrick faces a significant selection headache ahead of Sunday's Premier League trip to face Leeds United at Elland Road, with three key players major doubts. The situation overshadows the resolution of a public row involving defender Lisandro Martinez, who will not face suspension.
Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo both sustained knocks during last weekend's 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, an injury that forced them to miss the midweek 2-0 Champions League defeat at Atletico Madrid. Striker Benjamin Sesko has not featured since late September due to a shin problem. Carrick offered little certainty on their availability for the key fixtures, stating, "We will see on Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo." Regarding Sesko, the manager added that the forward is still undergoing medical checks before a timeline for his return can be established, with the club's injuries page tracking his progress.
The build-up has also been dominated by Martinez's post-match comments in Madrid, where he criticised the club's transfer activity. The defender later apologised on social media and Carrick said the matter is now closed. "From the outside [you are] after some big information about big discussions but it was pretty simple," Carrick explained. "We all understood the situation and what it meant."
Carrick insisted the squad has moved on and trained with a positive attitude ahead of the trip to West Yorkshire. The match carries added pressure as United are winless in five matches across all competitions, a run that has seen them slip to 13th in the Premier League standings with just five points from their opening six games. In contrast, Leeds United sit seventh with nine points, though they are coming off a 2-1 defeat at Arsenal. The two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford in August, and Leeds will be looking to capitalise on any United weakness. The match kicks off at Elland Road on Sunday, 18 October.
More detail at Yorkshire Evening Post
