Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick has provided the latest fitness updates on key players ahead of their Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
The Red Devils will welcome Spurs to Old Trafford in the early kick-off (12:30 p.m.), aiming to maintain their perfect start under Carrick.
United have won all three matches since the ex-midfielder took charge, fueling optimism over a potential Champions League spot next season. The hosts currently sit fourth in the league, just a point above fifth-placed Chelsea.
Tottenham, meanwhile, occupy 14th place but earned a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Manchester City last weekend after recovering from a two-goal deficit.
Providing a fitness update on his squad, Carrick confirmed that Dutch central defender Matthijs de Ligt remains unavailable. The 24-year-old has missed the last 12 games across all competitions due to a back issue. The interim boss described the match as “too soon” for the defender, though he remains hopeful of a return in the coming weeks.
In his words: “Matta [De Ligt], he’s working his way back, taking good steps and improving. It’s a little bit too soon at the moment, hopefully, it won’t be too long [before De Ligt is back].”
Midfielder Mason Mount, who missed the victory over Fulham with a training injury, could return sooner than De Ligt, though his participation in the weekend clash remains uncertain.
“Probably, Mason [will be available] sooner [than De Ligt],” Carrick said. “He’s not too far away, really. We’re hopeful it won’t be too long.”
Full-back Patrick Dorgu will miss the Spurs game after suffering a hamstring injury against Arsenal last week. The Dane had been a standout performer since Carrick’s appointment, making his absence a significant blow for United’s squad depth.
Man United target a fourth consecutive win under Carrick, while Spurs look to halt the Red Devils’ momentum and climb the Premier League table. Both teams will be keen to use the fixture to strengthen their respective league positions, with United pushing to secure Champions League qualification and Spurs aiming to escape the lower half of the table.
