Manchester United will be without Benjamin Šeško for "a longer period of time" because of a shin injury, head coach Michael Carrick confirmed on Thursday, while Bruno Fernandes stays captain for Saturday's Premier League trip to Chelsea.
How long will Benjamin Šeško be out?
Carrick did not put a date on the striker's return. "Ben looks like he's going to be out for a period of time," he said at his pre-match news conference. "We're still not clear of exactly how long, but it's going to be for a longer period of time."
He explained that the club had first let the injury go through a healing process to see how it reacted, and said they were "still working through it". The Manchester Evening News and the Evening Standard report that the Slovenia forward is expected to miss around two more months, which would keep him out until at least January.
Šeško has not played since the Carabao Cup defeat by Brighton on 16 September, when he felt pain in his shin after the game.
There was better news on Kobbie Mainoo. Carrick said the midfielder trained on Wednesday and is back around the group, which could put him in contention at Stamford Bridge.
Will Bruno Fernandes captain Man Utd at Chelsea?
Yes. Asked whether Fernandes would wear the armband on Saturday, Carrick said: "There is no decision to be made on that."
Fernandes was dropped to the bench for Sunday's 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth after questioning the team's tactics following the 4-1 Champions League loss at Como. He stayed on the bench throughout that game, and Harry Maguire captained the side. The pair held clear-the-air talks at Carrington on Tuesday.
"He's fully committed to this football club, he's fully committed to making things better," Carrick said. "He's the one that's kind of led the team so well for many a game and many a year, and he'll continue to do that."
What does it mean for Carrick?
The Bournemouth defeat extended United's run to eight matches without a win in all competitions, and the club's hierarchy discussed his position before deciding he would stay in charge for the Chelsea game.
Carrick said he was not surprised to still be in the job. "I don't need any assurances from anyone," he said. "I totally get the position and the responsibilities and what comes with that."
What happens next?
Chelsea host United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 31 October (12:30 UK). Chelsea come into the game after their Carabao Cup shootout defeat at Liverpool on Wednesday. United then host Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, 3 November (20:00 UK), before Aston Villa visit Old Trafford on Sunday, 8 November. More Premier League news.
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