Manchester United Plunged into Injury Crisis as Eight Players Miss Training Ahead of Crucial Champions League Clash with Como

Manchester United’s preparations for their midweek UEFA Champions League fixture against Como have been thrown into severe disarray. Michael Carrick’s squad has been hit by a mounting injury and illness crisis, with eight high-profile players missing from the final training session at Carrington.

The Red Devils travel to Italy to face Cesc Fàbregas' side at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia looking to arrest a difficult winless run. However, their squad depth is being tested to its absolute limit following a physical 1–1 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road.

The Carrington Absentee List: Who Missed Training?

During Tuesday morning’s open session at Carrington, a depleted group of players took to the pitches. No fewer than eight regular first-team figures were completely absent from the group, leaving Carrick scrambling for defensive and tactical solutions:

Lisandro Martínez: The combative Argentine defender was forced off at half-time during the weekend stalemate against Leeds after feeling discomfort in his thigh. His absence from training leaves a massive hole at the back.

Marcus Rashford: Carrying a minor knock that restricted him to an unused substitute role at Elland Road, the forward was not spotted in team training and remains a major doubt.

Kobbie Mainoo: The influential midfielder has missed the last two fixtures with an unspecified minor issue and failed to report for training.

Luke Shaw: The left-back has been sidelined for the past two matches with a knock picked up against Tottenham and continues his recovery away from the main group.

Ayden Heaven: The young defender was sidelined due to a bout of illness that forced a late defensive reshuffle ahead of the weekend.

Compounding these training absences, long-term absentees Benjamin Sesko (shin injury), Patrick Dorgu (thigh), and Manuel Ugarte (long-term knee rehabilitation) remain completely unavailable, alongside defender Leny Yoro, who serves a European suspension.

Carrick Will Have to Adjust Man Utd Side

Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Against Leeds, Carrick made some changes to his team to bring in Noussair Mazraoui as a substitute at centre-back, while Diogo Dalot played on the left of a back five.

But with Leny Yoro also suspended for this game after his red card against Atleti, it adds an extra dimension to the problems that the manager must find a solution for. Netherlands international De Ligt could be brought in for his first appearance since November 2025 where he picked up a back problem, or some of the youngsters could be used.

Harry Amass has barely featured despite being a natural left-back, and the youngster could be drafted in to allow Dalot to move back across to the right, with Mazraoui and Maguire partnering each other in the middle.

Either way, United are facing a major injury crisis in a crucial part of their season, which leaves the manager very vulnerable if there are more poor results.