Manchester United handed double fitness boost before Premier League opener

Manchester United have been boosted by the return of Benjamin Sesko and Matthijs de Ligt to full training just hours before the start of the Premier League season.

The pair’s involvement in the club’s final preparations has lifted manager Michael Carrick’s options before Saturday’s opening fixture against Hull City, with both players having been sidelined during pre-season.

For de Ligt, the session marked his first full involvement since undergoing back surgery in May. The Netherlands defender had suffered the injury in November last year and has not played for Manchester United since 30 November.

He was limited to the opening 15 minutes of a training session in Dublin last week, but was able to complete the whole session on Tuesday. His prolonged absence also meant he missed the World Cup finals.

Sesko, meanwhile, had been unavailable for United’s pre-season matches while recovering from a lower-leg injury. However, there is now optimism within the club that the forward could be included in the squad to face Hull City at the weekend.

The striker impressed during Tuesday morning’s training session after taking part in a number of individual workouts on the grass over the summer. His recovery has allowed him to move beyond the injury that ruled him out of United’s final three matches of last season.

The returns of Sesko and de Ligt provide Carrick with a timely boost as United complete their preparations for the new campaign. Their availability could be particularly important given another injury concern in midfield.

Mason Mount was absent from training after suffering a bruised foot during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in Stockholm. The midfielder was hurt when his foot was stood on during the match.

Sources within the club, as reported by the British newspaper The Sun, said Mount’s absence was precautionary. He had also missed United’s most recent friendly fixtures under Carrick, against Leeds United and Milan.

United are continuing to plan for further movement in the transfer market before the summer window closes. The club intends to make at least two more signings as it seeks to strengthen the squad in key areas.

One of the priorities is the left-back position, with the club considering a number of options. Lewis Hall is understood to be the preferred choice among the alternatives being assessed by the United hierarchy.

The club also want to recruit a high-profile defensive midfielder. That player would add depth and strength to the centre of the team alongside new arrivals Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos.

For now, the focus is on the fitness of the existing squad before the first competitive match. De Ligt’s return to full training and Sesko’s progress in front of goal give Carrick two encouraging developments, although United will continue to monitor Mount before deciding on his involvement in the opening fixture.