Manchester United have received a boost with key player back in training ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea but will be without Manuel Ugarte, Benjamin Sesko and Luke Shaw

Michael Carrick has received a major Manchester United injury boost with Kobbie Mainoo returning to training ahead of the Premier League fixture against Chelsea. The midfielder has been absent from the previous four matches due to a muscular complaint, but appears to be in contention to feature at Stamford Bridge.

It's a must-win game for the United head coach when they take on Xabi Alonso's side, knowing anything less than a win could result in him being sacked. This weekend's visitors have won just two games in all competitions this season, and Mainoo's return is a major boost.

They come into the game on the back of a 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League and were thrashed 3-0 by Bournemouth last time out in the Premier League. However, Chelsea will also want to bounce back from their defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, losing to the Reds on penalties.

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The Blues are also hampered by several fitness concerns, with captain Reece James, Emiliano Martinez and Joao Pedro all sidelined. Maxence Lacroix could be unavailable as well after hobbling off during the Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Liverpool with a hamstring complaint.

Pep Chavarria and Jamie Gittens are also recuperating from injuries, while Emmanuel Emegha has been sidelined for several weeks but made his comeback as a substitute at Anfield. Cole Palmer received a red card in the league last weekend; however, having already served his ban during the cup, he is free to feature.

Former Blues midfielder Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba have been utilised in for United in Mainoo's absence, with the latter recovering from an ankle problem as the England ace sustained his injury. United have missed the England international's calmness in midfield, though Saturday's encounter may arrive too early for him to feature from the start.

Fitness concerns elsewhere have led to certain players being fielded out of their natural positions, with Diogo Dalot operating at left-back in Luke Shaw's absence. The 31-year-old was forced off during the 1-1 draw with Tottenham and appears to remain unavailable, having not been seen at Carrington on Wednesday.

Marcus Rashford, who has been managing a hip complaint, was also absent from photographs but has been spotted undertaking individual sessions in the gymnasium. Carrick has suggested he is nearing a return to action, though the same cannot be said for Benjamin Sesko.

The 23-year-old striker has been contending with an ongoing shin issue since May, and according to The Athletic, will stay sidelined until 2027.

It has been reported that United's medical team have been examining the optimal treatment approach and have determined that extended rest is required for the problem to heal properly.

Given the mounting pressure surrounding his position, Carrick might not have the opportunity to utilise Sesko again, even though United's hierarchy has decided he will be given the chance to reverse fortunes despite consecutive heavy losses.

The club announced he would be undergoing medical assessments in mid-September following the loss to Brighton, and that remained Carrick's statement one month later.

He said: "Ben is kind of still undergoing a couple of checks before we update on timelines. We're just trying to be clear with what that looks like. He's still a little bit further away, but when we know, we'll let you know."

Patrick Dorgu was unavailable for both fixtures, with his most recent United outing being the 1-1 stalemate against Fulham in late September after sustaining a hamstring problem during the international window.

Manuel Ugarte remains a long-term casualty following a serious knee injury sustained during the World Cup.