Michael Carrick drops Ayden Heaven update as four Man Utd stars are ‘absent’ and other quartet are ‘doubts’

Michael Carrick has now shared news about the fitness of Ayden Heaven and other injuries ahead of Manchester United’s return to Premier League action this weekend.

Manchester United will welcome Bournemouth to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, with the Premier League kick-off slated for 2pm UK time.

Michael Carrick sat down for his pre-match media briefing at 1:30pm UK time on Friday afternoon, but the Red Devils boss did not touch on the current state of the Manchester United first-team squad.

Instead, United In Focus has the full breakdown of what Carrick said in his interview with MUTV and the current ‘doubts’ and ‘absentees’ for the Red Devils.

READ MORE: Peter Schmeichel puzzled by Matthijs de Ligt and another disappointing Man Utd star after 4-1 Como loss

Marcus Rashford (forward) — DOUBT

Marcus Rashford was an unused substitute in the Premier League visit to Elland Road last weekend and missed the trip to Italy during the midweek due to an injury.

The 28-year-old England international was unable to make the United squad for the Champions League match against Como because of an ongoing hip injury.

Kobbie Mainoo (midfielder) — MISS

United manager Carrick has been missing the midfield influence of Kobbie Mainoo after the England midfielder sustained a muscle injury in United’s Premier League tie with Tottenham.

The 21-year-old Stockport-born talent did not feature in United’s 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid or the subsequent fixtures against Leeds United and Como.

READ MORE: Man Utd’s ‘four-year cycle’ analysis from Peter Schmeichel is only real optimism fans can cling to now

Luke Shaw (defender) — MISS

Luke Shaw suffered a knock in Man Utd’s 1-1 draw against 10-man Tottenham at Old Trafford earlier this month and the 31-year-old was later ruled out of action.

Carrick has been without Luke Shaw for the Red Devils’ last three consecutive matches across all competitions ahead of the Bournemouth clash on Sunday.

Ayden Heaven (defender) — BACK

Ayden Heaven has been missing in action for United not because of an injury setback, but rather because the 20-year-old Red Devils talent has been sidelined due to illness.

The United centre-back missed the Leeds United match and subsequently did not make the matchday squad for United’s Champions League encounter with Como.

“Ayden is back with [the] group,” Carrick told MUTV on Friday, as per Manchester United’s official website.

“He was suffering from illness, but is back around the group and then we’ll see what the next couple of days bring [for the others].”

READ MORE: Why Gary Lineker claims Cesc Fabregas would be ‘mad’ to leave Como to replace Michael Carrick at Man Utd

Lisandro Martinez (defender) — DOUBT

Lisandro Martinez missed the trip to Italy for United’s crushing 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League after the defender’s minor thigh injury against Leeds United.

Carrick was forced to withdraw Lisandro Martinez at half-time in Man Utd’s 1-1 Premier League draw against Leeds United and brought on Noussair Mazraoui.

Benjamin Sesko (striker) — DOUBT

Benjamin Sesko has faced ongoing issues with a shin injury for around six months and aggravated the problem in a similar area in the 2026-27 campaign.

The 23-year-old striker has not featured for United since the 3-2 defeat to Brighton in September and has been absent for the last five fixtures for the Red Devils.

READ MORE: I’m a Man Utd fan and Bruno Fernandes was wrong about three things on Michael Carrick, despite one positive

Patrick Dorgu (defender/forward) — MISS

Patrick Dorgu has been absent since the end of the October international break after the 21-year-old Danish defender suffered a major hamstring injury in September.

The United star has missed the Red Devils’ last four fixtures after his setback on international duty with Denmark and his time on the sideline is set to continue.

Manuel Ugarte (midfielder) — MISS

Manuel Ugarte is not expected to return any time soon for United, as the 25-year-old Uruguayan midfielder continues his rehabilitation at the Carrington training complex.

The Man Utd star suffered knee ligament damage during Uruguay’s World Cup campaign in the summer and will be sidelined until at least 2027 for United.

READ MORE: Gary Lineker reacts to Bruno Fernandes’ criticism of Michael Carrick and sees ‘point’ Man Utd ace was making

Tom Heaton (shot-stopper) — DOUBT

Just like Manuel Ugarte, Tom Heaton has missed the opening months of the 2026-27 Premier League campaign after being sidelined with an injury in the summer.

Tom Heaton was forced off with a hamstring injury in United’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in August, but he was in open training ahead of the Como match.