Michael Carrick provides positive Man United update ahead of Chelsea clash Kobbie Mainoo Return Hands Manchester United a Timely Boost Before Chelsea Manchester United have some good news at last. Kobbie Mainoo is back in training and back in the conversation ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stamford Bridge. For Michael Carrick, that matters. Mainoo has been out since the draw with Tottenham in early October. At the time, Carrick had suggested the midfielder could be back “in 10 days or so”. That looks accurate. Mainoo rejoined his team-mates on Wednesday and is now pushing to be involved against Chelsea. Carrick kept it simple when asked for an update: “Good news, Kobbie done a little bit of training yesterday, so he’s back in and around the group,. So that’s obviously a positive.” That is the key point. Mainoo may not be ready to start, but being back on the grass changes the picture. Manchester United have missed his control, his calmness in possession and his ability to move the ball quickly through midfield. Photo IMAGO Mainoo Return Boosts Midfield Options The timing is important. Chelsea away is not the fixture for half measures in midfield. United need legs, composure and players who can deal with pressure. Mainoo brings all three, even if his involvement is managed carefully after time out. Benjamin Sesko Injury Blow Continues There is, however, bad news alongside the Mainoo return. Benjamin Sesko is facing a longer absence and may not be back until January because of an ongoing shin problem. That leaves United short and forces Carrick to keep finding answers elsewhere in attack. He said: “Unfortunately, Ben looks like he’s going to be out for a period of time. We’re still not clear of exactly how long, but it’s going to be for a longer period of time. “As I said to before, we had to go through a bit of a healing process for the injury to see how it would react and what direction to go with that. Even now we’re still working through it.
“But it’s unfortunate, obviously first and foremost, for Ben. He tried to get through it, and is going through this again, and for us to not have him available is obviously a blow, but we’ll try to get him back as quick as we can.” So that is where United stand. One important return, one significant setback, and a difficult away game next.
