Marcus Rashford's fitness is now a concern for Michael Carrick, whose squad heads to Italy with Lisandro Martínez sidelined and Leny Yoro suspended. The absences leave Manchester United short of defenders for a Champions League meeting with a Como side in form.

• The club said on Tuesday that Rashford is dealing with an injury, after he stayed on the bench throughout the draw at Elland Road.
• Eight players missed Tuesday's session at Carrington, including Lisandro Martínez, who has a thigh problem.
• The 1-1 draw at Leeds left United without a win in six matches in all competitions.
• Como v Manchester United is scheduled for Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 18:45 local time, on matchday 3 of the league phase.

Marcus Rashford’s absence from the starting line-up at Leeds now has a medical explanation. Carrick had already pointed to a problem after Sunday’s game, saying Rashford had been ‘carrying a little bit of something’ and that the club were ‘managing him to a point’, according to Yahoo Sports.

The rest of the absentee list is long. Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo, Benjamin Sesko, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte also sat out the session alongside Rashford and Martínez. Shaw and Mainoo have missed United’s last two matches, Heaven was ill for the Leeds game, and Sesko, Dorgu and Ugarte are all out injured. Martínez came off at half-time at Elland Road, and Carrick explained that decision after the match, the club reported. In the same post-match comments, the head coach also set out why Heaven and Rashford were left out of the starting line-up. The Argentine had apologised for publicly criticising the club’s hierarchy after the Atlético defeat before starting at Leeds, Sky Sports reported.

Defensive absences push academy teenagers into the first-team picture

The defensive gaps are the most pressing. Yoro is suspended after being sent off at Atlético Madrid, the first red card of his career, when VAR found he had put an arm across Jonathan David as the striker ran through on goal, The Independent reported. With Martínez, Heaven and Shaw also missing on Tuesday, Carrick’s options at the back are thin. Harry Maguire was reported to be the only senior centre-back in training, which leaves the prospect of a makeshift defence in Italy. Matthijs de Ligt has returned to training but has not played since his back surgery.

Teenage defenders Dan Armer and Jaydan Kamason joined the first-team squad for Tuesday’s session, BBC Sport reported, and either could be involved in Italy. Supporters may not get confirmation until the team sheet, as United are not announcing their squads for Champions League away games this season, according to AOL.

Como arrive level on points and in winning form

The winless run makes the fixture more urgent. United’s last victory came against Sabah in the Champions League opener, according to Football365. Como’s three points in the competition came from a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig and a 3-2 defeat at Feyenoord, leaving them level with United. Their most recent outing was a 3-1 Serie A victory at Fiorentina on 18 October 2026, Sky Sports reported.

Rashford’s fitness carries extra weight because the club’s website says the Como game could bring a landmark appearance for him. Whether he is available should become clearer soon. The squad was due to fly to Milan on Tuesday afternoon, with Carrick scheduled to give an update on the absent players at a 6.30pm press conference, according to Sky Sports.

Sources

Citations and primary documents this article references. Captured at the time of writing.

• Carrick's explanation of Martínez's substitution and Heaven and Rashford's absence from the Leeds line-up

• Club news feed with the Rashford Champions League landmark feature before Como

• Carrick's comments on Rashford's knock and Martínez's thigh problem

• Defensive absentees and academy defenders Armer and Kamason joining first-team training

• Training absentees, Martínez's apology, travel plans and press conference timing

• Kick-off time and recent results for both clubs

• How Yoro's red card in Madrid came about, leading to his suspension

• United's winless run and both clubs' Champions League results so far

• Profile of the academy call-ups and United's squad announcement policy for away European games

📷 Trafford Training Centre: North West Air Ambulance, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons