Manchester United Boosted by De Ligt and Sesko's Return to Training
Manchester United’s final week of preparation for the new Premier League season has been lifted by the sight of Benjamin Sesko and Matthijs de Ligt back in full training – just hours before the campaign kicks off.
At Carrington, the mood shifted. Concerns over fitness lists and rehab schedules gave way to something closer to optimism.
De Ligt back after back surgery
For De Ligt, this was a landmark day. The Dutch defender completed his first full group session since undergoing back surgery in May, a procedure that followed the injury he suffered last November.
He has barely featured since. Out of action since 30 November, denied a place at the World Cup finals, and limited to just 15 minutes of training during United’s recent camp in Dublin last week, his return to full involvement marks a significant step.
This time, he stayed on. No early exit, no separate drills. Just a full session with the squad, and a visible boost for a defensive unit that has spent the summer juggling absences and makeshift partnerships.
Sesko sharp after summer work
Up front, there was another welcome sight. Sesko, who missed all of United’s pre-season matches while recovering from a lower leg injury, trained fully and looked sharp.
The striker has spent much of the summer working individually on the grass, building fitness away from the main group. That work showed on Tuesday morning. His movement was crisp, his touches clean, and the coaching staff saw enough to believe he could make the squad for the Premier League opener against Hull City next Saturday.
Sesko had been sidelined for United’s final three matches of last season. Now that setback is behind him, and his return offers fresh attacking options at precisely the moment Michael Carrick wants a complete bench for the start of the campaign.
Mount missing but concerns played down
Not everyone was out there. Mason Mount was the notable absentee from the session, after taking a stamp on his foot in the 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in Stockholm.
The bruise ruled him out of training and has already cost him a place in United’s final friendlies under Carrick against Leeds United and Milan. Club sources, quoted by British outlet The Sun, have stressed that the decision to rest him is purely precautionary.
United will hope that remains the case as the competitive fixtures arrive.
Transfer push continues before deadline
While the medical room clears, the recruitment drive continues.
United still intend to bring in new faces before the summer window closes, with at least two more signings on the agenda. The club are actively exploring options at left-back, where Lewis Hall has emerged as the preferred target for the role.
They also want a high-level defensive midfielder to anchor the centre of the pitch, complementing the arrivals of Youri Tielemans and Andre Santos.
Fitness boosts on the training pitch, transfer moves off it, and the Premier League about to roar back into life: Manchester United are running out of excuses. The pieces are starting to fall into place – now the question is whether this squad can turn promise into points when Hull City arrive next weekend.
