Manchester United Carrick action has continued during the international break, with the manager arranging a behind-closed-doors friendly while Wayne Rooney has apologised to Benjamin Sesko over recent comments about the striker’s injury.
Michael Carrick is using the international window to work with the members of his squad who have remained at Carrington as Manchester United look for solutions after an inconsistent beginning to the campaign.
The Red Devils collected only five points from their opening five Premier League fixtures before the international break and were also eliminated from the Carabao Cup.
With several first-team players away on international duty, Carrick has been given an opportunity to assess those remaining at the club and test potential tactical solutions ahead of the next league fixture.
Manchester United Carrick action continues
According to The Telegraph, Manchester United are scheduled to face Swiss club Lausanne-Sport in a behind-closed-doors friendly during the international break.
The fixture will allow Carrick to give competitive minutes to players who have not travelled with their respective national teams while also examining possible changes to his team.
The exact venue, date and kick-off time have not been disclosed, but the match is expected to provide useful preparation before Manchester United face Tottenham Hotspur on October 10.
Lausanne-Sport are also owned by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, although the Swiss club have endured a difficult start to their domestic campaign.
Luka Elsner’s side have won only one of their first nine Swiss Super League matches and currently sit at the bottom of the division.
For Carrick, however, the result may be less important than the opportunity to assess his available players and build match sharpness during the international break.
United dealing with injury concerns
Carrick’s preparations have also been affected by injury concerns involving several Manchester United players on international duty.
Noussair Mazraoui was withdrawn during Morocco’s win over Lesotho on Tuesday, adding to a growing list of players who have experienced fitness problems during the international window.
Bruno Fernandes and Patrick Dorgu are also among the United players whose fitness has required attention, leaving Carrick with plenty to monitor before competitive action resumes.
Benjamin Sesko was another notable absentee after withdrawing from the Slovenia squad because of a shin problem.
The striker had appeared from the bench in each of Manchester United’s first four league fixtures before missing the draw against Fulham because of the injury.
Wayne Rooney apologises to Benjamin Sesko
Meanwhile, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has apologised to Sesko after previously questioning the striker’s decision not to play through injury.
Rooney had criticised Sesko’s absence while discussing Manchester United’s early-season problems on his Stick to United podcast.
The former England captain initially argued that a striker should be available for an important match if he could physically play, saying: “If you’re trying to play No.9 [for Man United] and you’ve got a must-win game and you’ve got a sore shin and you’re not playing… that’s a big part of the problem.”
Rooney added: “Unless you physically can’t play, you play when you’re injured.”
However, the former Manchester United forward subsequently changed his position after learning more about the severity of Sesko’s injury.
Rooney acknowledged that the Slovenian’s condition was more serious than he had initially understood and issued an apology to the striker.
“Well, if it’s long-term, then I suppose I should apologise,” Rooney said on Stick to United. “So, I apologise, Sesko. I apologise if I misjudged you. Sorry.”
Sesko injury changes Rooney’s assessment
Sesko’s decision to withdraw from international duty has provided further context surrounding his absence from Manchester United’s squad.
The striker had been gradually introduced into the team during his first four league appearances, coming off the bench in each match before the Fulham fixture.
His shin complaint subsequently ruled him out of that game and forced him to withdraw from Slovenia duty during the international break.
Rooney’s apology therefore followed the emergence of additional information about the extent of the injury, with the former United captain acknowledging that his original assessment may have been based on incomplete information.
Carrick faces important period
Carrick now has the international break to work with his available players before Manchester United return to Premier League action.
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The behind-closed-doors fixture against Lausanne-Sport should give the manager an opportunity to assess players who have not been involved with their national teams.
It could also help Carrick experiment with different combinations as he attempts to improve Manchester United’s results following their difficult opening to the season.
United’s five points from their first five league matches have increased the importance of their next run of fixtures, while the early Carabao Cup exit has removed another opportunity for silverware.
The meeting with Tottenham on October 10 will therefore provide Carrick with another significant test as he attempts to get his Manchester United campaign back on track.
For Sesko, the immediate priority will be recovering from his shin problem, while Rooney’s apology has brought an end to the criticism surrounding the striker’s decision to miss the Fulham fixture.
Manchester United will hope that their injured players return quickly and that the international break gives Carrick enough time to prepare his squad for the demanding schedule ahead.
