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Manchester United's Champions League preparations have been rocked by a double injury blow, with Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw both missing Monday morning's open training session at Carrington and now major doubts for Tuesday night's clash with Atlético Madrid.
Journalist Katherine Walsh shared footage of the squad making their way out onto the grass before reporting that Mainoo and Shaw will need to be assessed on their fitness to determine whether they can be involved tomorrow night. A decision is expected later on Monday on whether the pair travel to the Spanish capital for the meeting at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
It is a worrying development for head coach Michael Carrick, whose side are already winless in four matches since opening their Champions League league-phase campaign with a 4-0 victory over Sabah of Azerbaijan. United need a result in Madrid, and they can ill afford to lose two influential players at this stage of the campaign.
### Shaw's left-back headache returns
Shaw's situation is particularly concerning given the circumstances of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham. The England full-back started at Old Trafford but was replaced by Ayden Heaven in the fifth minute of added time, and footage subsequently circulated on social media appeared to show Shaw limping as he left the stadium.
The left-back had earlier been on the end of an ugly challenge that sparked the game's flashpoint, when Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for headbutting Shaw in the second half. Shaw played on until the dying stages, but his absence from Monday's session casts serious doubt over his availability against Atlético.
There is also worrying precedent: United said Shaw was on a designated rest day when he missed training before the club's European opener against Sabah, yet the 31-year-old went on to miss three subsequent matches, including the Manchester derby and the Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton.
### Mainoo absence raises alarm
Mainoo's absence raised the bigger questions. The 21-year-old midfielder played the full 90 minutes against Tottenham with no obvious sign of a problem, then skipped Monday morning's session entirely. Sports Mole, citing BBC Sport, reported the duo are regarded as major doubts, with a final decision set for Monday afternoon.
Mainoo, who withdrew from England duty during the international break after picking up a knock at Craven Cottage, has arguably been United's standout player this season, and his potential absence would be a substantial blow to Carrick, who is already under mounting pressure. Many expected £70million summer signing Carlos Baleba to start alongside Mainoo in midfield after the Brighton man made his debut off the bench against Spurs — but if the 21-year-old is not fully fit, Carrick may have to turn to alternative options.
According to UTDReport, the club are yet to decide whether either player will be included in the travelling squad, and the United manager is due to face the media alongside Leny Yoro at the Monday evening press conference in Madrid, where both players' availability will be the key question.
### A mounting selection crisis
Mainoo and Shaw were not the only absentees from the open session. Benjamin Sesko was also missing, while Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui remain sidelined after suffering injuries during the international break — leaving Carrick facing a genuine crisis at left-back, the position the club failed to recruit in the summer window. Long-term absentee Manuel Ugarte was also out.
There was some rare good news: Matthijs de Ligt took part in Monday's session as the defender steps up his rehabilitation from the back injury that has kept him out since last November. Academy youngsters Shea Lacey, Harry Amass, Jack Fletcher and Dan Armer were also involved and are likely to be in the travelling squad.
United's latest setback came in Saturday's stoppage-time equaliser by Dominic Solanke for a Tottenham side playing with ten men, and Carrick's side have managed just six points from six in the league — their worst start in 40 years. Tuesday's trip to Atlético, followed by a visit to fierce rivals Leeds at Elland Road, could define the early months of the campaign.
Beyond the Final Whistle verdict: Carrick's injury list is growing at the worst possible moment. Losing both Mainoo and Shaw for a trip to Atlético Madrid would be a hammer blow — and with a thin squad and no recognised left-back cover, the next 24 hours could shape United's entire European campaign. Do you think Carrick should risk either of them in Madrid, or keep them back for Leeds? Let us know in the comments.
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Manchester United's Champions League preparations have been rocked by a double injury blow, with Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw both missing Monday morning's open training session at Carrington and now major doubts for Tuesday night's clash with Atlético Madrid.
Journalist Katherine Walsh shared footage of the squad making their way out onto the grass before reporting that Mainoo and Shaw will need to be assessed on their fitness to determine whether they can be involved tomorrow night. A decision is expected later on Monday on whether the pair travel to the Spanish capital for the meeting at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
It is a worrying development for head coach Michael Carrick, whose side are already winless in four matches since opening their Champions League league-phase campaign with a 4-0 victory over Sabah of Azerbaijan. United need a result in Madrid, and they can ill afford to lose two influential players at this stage of the campaign.
Shaw's left-back headache returns
Shaw's situation is particularly concerning given the circumstances of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham. The England full-back started at Old Trafford but was replaced by Ayden Heaven in the fifth minute of added time, and footage subsequently circulated on social media appeared to show Shaw limping as he left the stadium.
The left-back had earlier been on the end of an ugly challenge that sparked the game's flashpoint, when Spurs midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off for headbutting Shaw in the second half. Shaw played on until the dying stages, but his absence from Monday's session casts serious doubt over his availability against Atlético.
There is also worrying precedent: United said Shaw was on a designated rest day when he missed training before the club's European opener against Sabah, yet the 31-year-old went on to miss three subsequent matches, including the Manchester derby and the Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton.
Mainoo absence raises alarm
Mainoo's absence raised the bigger questions. The 21-year-old midfielder played the full 90 minutes against Tottenham with no obvious sign of a problem, then skipped Monday morning's session entirely. Sports Mole, citing BBC Sport, reported the duo are regarded as major doubts, with a final decision set for Monday afternoon.
Mainoo, who withdrew from England duty during the international break after picking up a knock at Craven Cottage, has arguably been United's standout player this season, and his potential absence would be a substantial blow to Carrick, who is already under mounting pressure. Many expected £70million summer signing Carlos Baleba to start alongside Mainoo in midfield after the Brighton man made his debut off the bench against Spurs — but if the 21-year-old is not fully fit, Carrick may have to turn to alternative options.
According to UTDReport, the club are yet to decide whether either player will be included in the travelling squad, and the United manager is due to face the media alongside Leny Yoro at the Monday evening press conference in Madrid, where both players' availability will be the key question.
A mounting selection crisis
Mainoo and Shaw were not the only absentees from the open session. Benjamin Sesko was also missing, while Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui remain sidelined after suffering injuries during the international break — leaving Carrick facing a genuine crisis at left-back, the position the club failed to recruit in the summer window. Long-term absentee Manuel Ugarte was also out.
There was some rare good news: Matthijs de Ligt took part in Monday's session as the defender steps up his rehabilitation from the back injury that has kept him out since last November. Academy youngsters Shea Lacey, Harry Amass, Jack Fletcher and Dan Armer were also involved and are likely to be in the travelling squad.
United's latest setback came in Saturday's stoppage-time equaliser by Dominic Solanke for a Tottenham side playing with ten men, and Carrick's side have managed just six points from six in the league — their worst start in 40 years. Tuesday's trip to Atlético, followed by a visit to fierce rivals Leeds at Elland Road, could define the early months of the campaign.
Beyond the Final Whistle verdict: Carrick's injury list is growing at the worst possible moment. Losing both Mainoo and Shaw for a trip to Atlético Madrid would be a hammer blow — and with a thin squad and no recognised left-back cover, the next 24 hours could shape United's entire European campaign. Do you think Carrick should risk either of them in Madrid, or keep them back for Leeds? Let us know in the comments.
