Mount may return for Manchester United against Tottenham! De Ligt is definitely out, and concerns about his injury have been revealed by Manchester United.

On Thursday, Carrick conducted the pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester United's game with Tottenham, disclosing that Mason Mount, injured during training last week, is likely to be back in the squad, while center-back De Ligt’s back injury remains unresolved, confirming his absence. Patrick Doku, sidelined with a hamstring strain, will not participate either.

Mount missed Manchester United’s victory over Fulham due to injury and did not train on Wednesday either, but Carrick confirmed he is nearing recovery and might even feature against Tottenham on Saturday. Realistically, Mount’s return might come next Tuesday when they visit West Ham United.

De Ligt has been sidelined for over two months since his injury in November. Carrick admitted his situation is worrisome but emphasized that the Dutchman has maintained a positive attitude during rehabilitation. "Mason should be back soon, he’s not far from returning, hopefully not too long to wait," Carrick said. "Matthijs (De Ligt) is gradually regaining fitness, his condition is improving continuously, and his mindset is very positive."

Unfortunately, Carrick is not the first coach to express optimism about De Ligt’s injury. His predecessor, Rúben Amorim, once said after De Ligt missed his first game, "Matthijs has only a minor issue and is expected to return for the next match."

Regrettably, after 11 games, De Ligt has still not resumed training. Before his injury, he was the team’s ironman, starting and playing every minute of all matches, leading the team in aerial duels. Back injuries are tricky for professional players. Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand struggled with this injury throughout his career. A more recent case is Arsenal’s William Saliba in March 2023, who missed the last three months of the season due to a back problem, contributing to Arsenal missing out on the title.

Injury experts explain that back injuries can involve muscle, nerve, or joint problems, each bringing its own complications and requiring different recovery times. The entire body’s weight rests on the back, and such injuries can prevent athletes from running, twisting, or bending, all essential for playing football. Therefore, back injuries are extremely challenging for elite athletes.

Since Carrick took over as manager, Manchester United has won three consecutive matches, while Tottenham’s Premier League form has been disappointing. However, the visitors have been a tough opponent for the Red Devils in recent years, so Carrick reminded his players not to be complacent. "Tottenham will challenge us, just look at their recent game against Manchester City. They've had many injuries and squad changes lately, which makes the match tougher. But now they have players returning and very skilled attackers who excel at stretching defenses and making aggressive runs into the box. This style differs slightly from our recent opponents, but we’re looking forward to the match. The team is in good shape, and the lads have trained hard this week. Stay calm and don’t get overconfident. The important thing is the upcoming matches, as big challenges lie ahead."

Tottenham was also one of Carrick’s former clubs during his playing days. Reflecting on his transfer back then, Carrick said, "Everything happened very quickly. I have very fond memories of Tottenham, even though my time there felt short, I truly enjoyed it. It was a great team, with Martin Jol as the manager, and I learned a lot during my brief spell at the club. Moving to Manchester United was a huge step up, and I felt that immediately. From the moment I stepped into the dressing room and saw the manager on my first day, I felt renewed."

Manchester United made no signings during the January winter transfer window, and the club’s 23-man Premier League registration list remains exactly the same as at the start of the season. Although there are plans for the summer transfer window, Carrick stressed that this is not the priority right now.

Carrick said, "The players have performed exceptionally well, especially with their full concentration on the matches. We all understand what the bigger picture is and what could happen. As players, you just need to focus on the task at hand and do your best. I have no concerns; the players have performed even better than you might expect. Our goal is to keep improving and reach the expected level. Although each step is small, in the end, it will lead to a great outcome."