Manchester United faces mounting squad availability issues ahead of Sunday’s derby against Manchester City at Old Trafford, with fitness doubts surrounding Luke Shaw and multiple long-term absentees following a four-goal European victory.
Luke Shaw Fitness Uncertainty Before Manchester City Derby
Manchester United won 4-0 in Europe on Thursday night against Sabah, yet the club emerged from the fixture carrying the exact availability problems that shadowed them into the match. Results flatter the surface, but fitness tells the real story. With Manchester City next on the schedule, Michael Carrick faces crucial decisions with very little margin for error.
The biggest immediate concern involves Luke Shaw. The defender missed the midweek fixture after starting United’s first three Premier League games of the season. While the issue does not appear severe, his status for the derby remains under close scrutiny. Shaw provides vital balance on the left, experience in possession, and defensive control that other squad members occasionally lack.
Shaw came off after 73 minutes against Everton due to cramp, and United chose to exercise caution.
“It’s a little bit of that [managing him]. He came off the other day [at Everton] with a little bit of cramp. We didn’t want to take any risks really.”
Michael Carrick
Patrick Dorgu stepped in at left-back and delivered a standout performance, earning the official UEFA player of the match award. While Dorgu provides capable cover, replacing Shaw against Europe opposition differs significantly from dealing with Manchester City’s movement for ninety minutes. United also host Brighton in the Carabao Cup next, followed by a trip to Fulham before the international break, forcing Carrick to weigh immediate needs against the risk of another setback.
Carlos Baleba Debut Wait and Midfield Availability Challenges
New signing Carlos Baleba remains unavailable and has yet to make his debut in a United shirt. The £70 million signing from Brighton arrived carrying an ankle ligament injury sustained during pre-season against Strasbourg, making a delayed start inevitable.
“He’s got a little ankle issue. So, maybe a couple of weeks or so, maybe three weeks, we’ll see. But we knew that before, so it’s no major issue.”
Michael Carrick
Baleba’s athleticism, intensity, and ground-covering ability in midfield represent valuable qualities, particularly against City. However, he is unlikely to feature this weekend, with the subsequent trip to Fulham serving as a more realistic target for his first appearance.
Midfield concerns extend further down the squad list. Manuel Ugarte remains sidelined long term following cruciate ligament surgery after representing Uruguay in June. His absence alters the outlook for both player and club, with a return not expected until 2027. Additionally, Youri Tielemans was withdrawn at half-time on Thursday to allow Mason Mount valuable minutes to build match fitness.
Attacking Sideliners and Defensive Progress
In the attacking third, Amad Diallo continues to recover from an ankle problem picked up in training prior to the opening-day fixture against Hull. With no precise return timeframe from the coaching staff, the attacker could miss several more weeks, potentially aiming for a return after the international break.
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F09%2Ficonsportxalamy-3fdckj8-1-6a9a7e4f667fb501741769.jpg "Photo: sportsmole.co.uk")
Amad’s absence removes an element of unpredictability and one-on-one quality in the final third, narrowing options as the team attempts to establish early-season rhythm. On the defensive front, Matthijs de Ligt is moving closer to a return. Having missed action since November of the previous year due to a lower back issue that eventually required March surgery, De Ligt has returned to training and is progressing well through United’s cautious rehabilitation program.
Squad Depth Put to the Test at Old Trafford
The convergence of European fixtures, domestic cup commitments, and a high-stakes Manchester derby places intense pressure on Carrick’s remaining squad depth. While youthful replacements like Dorgu offer encouragement, the sheer volume of sidelined talent—ranging from marquee investments like Baleba to long-term rehabilitation cases like Ugarte and De Ligt—forces the coaching staff to navigate a delicate balancing act.
As Manchester United prepare to welcome Manchester City to Old Trafford, the immediate objective centres on recovering defensive solidity. Whether Shaw proves capable of lasting a full ninety minutes against City’s relentless movement will dictate how United handle their defensive setup in one of the fixture calendar’s most demanding tests.
