Honestly, walking into Carrington lately must feel like a ghost town compared to the crowded medical ward it was back in November. If you've been following the chaos at Old Trafford, you know the script. New manager, same old injury crisis. But as we head into this massive Manchester derby weekend, things are actually looking up. Sorta.
Michael Carrick has stepped into the interim role following Ruben Amorim’s exit, and he’s inherited a squad that is finally—miraculously—starting to resemble a Premier League football team again. It’s been a revolving door of "muscle tweaks" and "precautionary absences" for months. Now? The man united injuries update is surprisingly thin.
The Matthijs de Ligt Mystery
The big talking point is Matthijs de Ligt. He’s been the glaring omission from the backline for what feels like forever. Specifically, he hasn't kicked a ball since the win over Crystal Palace back in November. The official word is a persistent lower back issue.
Carrick was pretty candid about it in his first presser. He basically said the recovery has been "a little bit slower" than the medical staff first anticipated. While there were whispers he might sneak onto the bench for the City game, he’s still not quite there. He’s doing light individual work on the grass, but he isn’t ready for the high-intensity rondo quite yet. We're likely looking at a February return for the Dutchman.
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The AFCON Factor and Surprise Returns
While some players are stuck in the gym, others are just stuck in transit. Noussair Mazraoui is still missing, but for a good reason—Morocco is deep in the Africa Cup of Nations, chasing glory in the final. He won’t be back until late January, probably just in time for the Arsenal clash.
But check this out. Both Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo are already back at Carrington. Their nations (Ivory Coast and Cameroon) got knocked out earlier than expected, which is a massive stroke of luck for Carrick. They both returned to full training on Wednesday. Seeing them in the starting XI today against City isn't just a possibility; it’s a reality. It completely changes the dynamic of United's attack, moving away from the more rigid setups we saw under the previous regime.
Defensive Reinforcements: Maguire is Back
Harry Maguire’s hamstring has been a saga of its own. He’s been out since November, but he finally got some minutes in that FA Cup loss to Brighton. He’s fit. He’s starting. Partnering him with Lisandro Martinez gives United a level of veteran stability they’ve lacked during this weird transition period.
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Then you have Luke Shaw. It’s always a "wait and see" with Shaw, isn't it? But he’s currently in the XI. Having a natural left-back instead of a square peg in a round hole (looking at you, Diogo Dalot on the wrong side) makes a world of difference for the team's balance.
The Current "Out" List
- Matthijs de Ligt: Back injury. Expected return: Early February.
- Noussair Mazraoui: International duty (AFCON). Expected return: January 25.
- Shea Lacey: Suspended. (Red card against Brighton).
- Toby Collyer: Calf injury. He’s actually being recalled from his West Brom loan to finalize a move to Hull, so don't expect him in a United shirt anytime soon.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Medical Staff
There’s this narrative that United’s medical department is somehow cursed. People love to point at the recurring calf issues for Kobbie Mainoo or Mason Mount’s stop-start season. But look at the volume of games. By mid-January 2026, these guys have played a ridiculous amount of football.
Mainoo is back now, starting alongside Casemiro. Mount is on the bench. The fact that Carrick has Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko available as substitutes shows just how much the "injury crisis" has subsided. It’s not about luck; it’s about the intensity shift. Under Amorim, the training was notoriously grueling. Carrick seems to have dialed it back a notch to focus on tactical shape, which might be exactly what these hamstrings needed.
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Why This Matters for the Derby
Manchester City are dealing with their own nightmare. Pep is missing Rodri (well, he's back but maybe not 100%), John Stones, Ruben Dias, and Josko Gvardiol. For once, United actually has the deeper, fitter squad going into a big game.
If United can keep this group healthy for the next three weeks, the race for European spots becomes a lot more realistic. The depth on the bench right now—Ugarte, Mount, Sesko—is the strongest it’s been all season.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're keeping track of the man united injuries update for fantasy football or just pure nerves, keep an eye on the training photos from next Tuesday. That will tell us if De Ligt has moved from "individual work" to "group sessions."
- Watch the full-backs: With Mazraoui out, Dalot is the only senior right-back. If he gets a knock today, Carrick is in trouble.
- Monitor Mainoo’s minutes: He’s coming off a calf injury. Expect him to be subbed around the 60-minute mark to manage his load.
- The February Window: Most of the long-term absentees are scheduled for a February "reset." If the medical team can get everyone through January without a new setback, the squad will be at 100% for the business end of the season.
The era of blaming losses on an empty bench is over. Now, it's down to what Carrick can do with the talent he actually has available.