Manchester United face Como in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Michael Carrick providing injury and squad updates before the match. United travel to Italy without a win in six matches and have kept the opposition out once in 10 games this season.
Unavailable players
Carrick said: "It’s a bit of a mixed bag, we’ve got quite a few that are missing."
According to Carrick, Lisandro Martinez, Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw, Ayden Heaven and Marcus Rashford are unavailable for the Como match.
Carrick said: "Licha is not too bad but he’s not with us so we’ll have to see whether he’s ready for the weekend or not."
Carrick said: "Kobbie, we’re probably looking at another ten days or so but not exact."
Carrick said: "Luke, a little bit longer than that so a bit of injury and illness going through the camp but we’ll make the best of it for sure."
Carrick said: "Ayden is ill. Marcus is still feeling a bit of a hip issue that we’re trying to overcome so hopefully that will be soon as well."
De Ligt back, Sesko still out
Carrick said Matthijs de Ligt is fit and available again after a long spell out. Carrick said: "He’s had such a long journey of 11 months or so being out. He’s been patient, worked hard, so we’re delighted to have him back."
Carrick said: "He’s fit, he’s ready, he’s been training for a number of weeks now so he’s in a really good place."
Benjamin Sesko remains out. Carrick said: "We’re hoping really soon that we’ll have a clear picture."
Carrick said: "I’m not trying to delay it, hopefully next time we speak, maybe not tomorrow but by the end of the week, we’ll have something a little bit clearer."
Amass in contention
Carrick said Harry Amass is in contention to feature against Como. Carrick said: "Yeah, for sure. That is why he's with us, he's right in contention. At some point players need an opportunity."
Carrick said: "At some point, young players need an opportunity. It's just finding the right time."
Carrick said: "Sometimes it's because there's an unfortunate thing happened to somebody else. Sometimes it's just you're doing so well we have to give you a chance."
Carrick said: "All the young players are in a similar boat. There's maybe four, five, or six of them trying to make that next step in terms of getting into the team and trying to start games, and Harry's definitely one of them."
Weather and Carrick's view
Manchester United were greeted by steady rain on landing in Italy on Tuesday. More than 6cm of rain is forecast in the 24 hours before kick-off, with an orange warning for "severe weather" issued by the Italian Air Force National Meteorological Service.
Asked if he had any concerns about the surface or the match being impacted, Carrick said: "No, nothing immediate for me. We’re kind of used to the rain, so we’ll make the most of it."
Asked if he feels backed, the United head coach said: "Yeah. Why wouldn’t I? I’m in this position, I have a good relationship – a really good relationship with everybody at the football club."
Carrick said: "There’s really no issues and no problems with any of that side. We’ve got to win games of football and that’s what we’re striving to do."
On areas for improvement, Carrick said: "There's definitely parts of our game we have to improve to make things easier. I am fully aware of that."