Manchester United have been navigating a tricky start to the 2025/26 season, having dropped points in the opening two Premier League games against Arsenal and Fulham.
Ruben Amorim has been experimenting with his lineup, balancing the need for squad rotation with the urgency of picking up points early in the campaign.
Benjamin Sesko is pushing for more minutes after substitute appearances in both fixtures, while Andre Onana returned to the squad at Craven Cottage following injury.
Young talents like Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee are also eager to stake their claim for a first-team spot this season, making the squad options deeper than ever.
With less than 72 hours separating the midweek Carabao Cup tie at Grimsby Town from Burnley’s visit in the league, rotation is likely to play a key role in Amorim’s planning.
Despite this, uncertainty surrounds one of the Red Devils’ senior defenders.
Ruben Amorim has revealed that he is unsure whether Noussair Mazraoui will be able to return to action before the upcoming international break.
The Morocco international has been sidelined since the final day of last season, when he was forced off during the first half of United’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Noussair Mazraoui missed the post-season tour to Asia and, although he was named in squads travelling to Sweden and the United States over the summer, he did not feature in any of the matches.
Now, with the former Ajax full-back nearing full fitness, Amorim is proceeding cautiously.
“No, maybe he is going to return next week, we will see,” the United boss told reporters on Sunday, as per the official United website.
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“But he’s near, we are just finishing some drills with him to be sure that he’s not going to have another problem.”
Wednesday’s trip to Lincolnshire could provide an opportunity for Amorim to rotate his squad, potentially giving Sesko and other fringe players more time on the pitch.
The focus remains on managing player fitness while maintaining a competitive edge across all competitions.
For Mazraoui, careful reintegration will be key, and fans will be watching closely to see when he can finally make his season debut.
The Red Devils’ medical and coaching staff are now balancing urgency with caution, ensuring Mazraoui returns fully prepared to contribute to United’s push for domestic success.
