Manchester United take on Bournemouth at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday, with Michael Carrick forced to navigate a number of injured players as he looks to find his form

Manchester United and Bournemouth could be without as many as nine players collectively for this weekend's Premier League match. The pressure to deliver results is at an all-time high for Michael Carrick, who heads into Sunday's match at Old Trafford without a win to show for his team's efforts in their last seven across all competitions.

A 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday evening must serve as a wake-up call for the head coach, considering how Cesc Fabregas' side controlled the game for the duration. The Reds languish in 13th in the Premier League standings headed into Sunday's 2pm kick-off, with just win from their opening seven matches.

Marco Rose's Cherries have seen similar struggles in 2026/27, a point and two places below United in the English top flight having also won just one in the same amount of matches. However, with a 3-0 win over AC Milan on Thursday evening in the Europa League, confidence levels will likely be through the roof.

The clash is likely to be made tougher considering a number of key players will be missing from Carrick's first-team squad, as injury takes a hold early doors. While Carrick explained earlier in the week that he would have an update on Benjamin Sesko, a passionate speech to open Friday's press conference skipped over the traditional injury announcement.

The Slovenian striker is currently out of action with a shin injury, and it remains to be seen when he will make his grand return. Kobbie Mainoo, meanwhile, will also miss this weekend's fixture owing to a muscular issue.

Make sure you never miss the latest Manchester United news and opinion by making Manchester Evening News one of your Google preferred sources.

Carrick confirmed earlier this week that he could face up to 10 days on the sidelines, meaning he is likely to return against Chelsea in a week's time. Luke Shaw is expected to be out longer than Mainoo, with the full-back not expected back until early November through an undisclosed injury.

Patrick Dorgu also misses out due to a thigh injury picked up during the recent international break, while Manuel Ugarte is not expected to return to playing until 2027 as a result of an ACL injury sustained at the World Cup while representing Uruguay.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page

In more positive news, United should also welcome back a number of players during this weekend's clash on home turf. Lisandro Martinez did not travel for the Como match but could be back to full fitness to face Bournemouth, while Marcus Rashford could also make a return following a hip knock.

Ayden Heaven has missed the last two matches due to illness, but Carrick has since told MUTV that the youngster is back with the first-team having recovered. United are not the only side carrying injuries, however.

Alex Toth is expected to be out for a couple of weeks through a hamstring injury, while Alex Scott continues to recover from a thigh issue - expected to be back next month. It's a similar story for Julian Araujo who doesn't have a clear return date just yet.

Veljko Milosavljevic is also expected to be back to fitness in November, but will not play this weekend against United. While Eli Junior Kroupi is expected to be on the bench, he will not feature from the start at the Theatre of Dreams.