Manchester United is set to face Tottenham in a critical Premier League match on October 10, 2026, but they may do so with a severely depleted squad. The club has had a disappointing start to the season, earning only 5 points from their first five matches, and they were eliminated early from the League Cup by Brighton. As a result, a positive result against Tottenham is essential for manager Michael Carrick and his team.

However, the task is complicated by the potential absence of several important players. According to BBC journalist Simon Stone, Carrick is dealing with significant personnel issues ahead of the clash. Notably, Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford were called up for the England national team for four UEFA Nations League matches but could not join due to fitness concerns. Both players are believed to have minor injuries sustained during the match against Fulham, but their availability for the weekend remains uncertain.

The situation is even more concerning for Benjamin Sesko, who has reportedly re-injured his shin and may face an extended period on the sidelines. Mainoo, Rashford, and Sesko have remained at the Carrington training center while their national teams are active.

Moreover, United has recently suffered additional injuries, with Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui both encountering issues while on international duty with Denmark and Morocco, respectively. Initial assessments suggest that Dorgu's hamstring injury is more severe than Mazraoui's hip/lower back problem. Amad Diallo, who has been absent since the start of the season, has not yet returned to training with his teammates, and the status of Matthijs de Ligt remains unclear. Some reports indicate that he participated in a closed-door friendly against Lausanne Sport, but there is no concrete evidence confirming this, leaving his return from injury uncertain.

Faced with a significant injury crisis, Carrick must consider alternative strategies. On a positive note, Carlos Baleba has been confirmed to have played in a friendly match, which opens the possibility for his official debut against Tottenham. In addition, Carrick might give young talent Shea Lacey a chance to start on the right flank. With Sesko likely absent, Bryan Mbeumo could be pushed to lead the attack, while Matheus Cunha may return to his preferred left-wing position.

This situation presents a complex challenge for Carrick, as United needs a strong performance against a struggling Tottenham side. The selection of the starting lineup will be crucial in determining the Red Devils' performance at Old Trafford.