MU receives bad news before Premier League kickoff, coach Carrick worried

Manchester United had a forgettable match against Paris Saint-Germain as Mason Mount and Tom Heaton left the pitch with injuries, leaving coach Michael Carrick awaiting test results to determine the severity, with the new season just days away from starting.

Manchester United has just suffered an unwanted shock during preparations for the new season. The friendly match against Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg (Sweden) not only brought on-field issues but also left coach Michael Carrick worried as Mason Mount and Tom Heaton each had to leave the pitch due to injuries.

Among them, Mount's condition is receiving particular attention. The English midfielder played only about 20 minutes before signaling to the coaching staff that he could not continue. According to initial reports, Mount showed signs of a foot problem after a strong challenge in the early minutes of the match.

MU's coaching staff quickly assessed the 27-year-old's condition before deciding to pull him off the field. Tyler Fletcher was brought on as a replacement. The duration of Mount's absence will only be determined after he completes medical tests.

This is clearly unwelcome news for Carrick. Since moving to Old Trafford from Chelsea in 2023, Mount has consistently faced fitness issues. The midfielder has been sidelined for nearly 400 days due to various injuries.

In his first two seasons at MU, Mount made only 31 appearances in the Premier League. Last season was expected to be the time he regained stability, but a hamstring injury continued to disrupt that process. If this latest issue is serious, Mount will again face the risk of being sidelined during a crucial period of the season.

According to statistics for the 2025/26 season, Mount made 23 appearances in the Premier League, scoring 3 goals but recording no assists. He also played 1 match in the FA Cup.

But that's not all—MU received another worry in the second half. Tom Heaton also had to leave the pitch after showing signs of a hamstring problem. The 40-year-old goalkeeper is believed to have had an issue when rushing out of the box to clear the ball.

Dermot Mee was immediately brought on to replace Heaton and took over the goalkeeping position for the remainder of the match. If Heaton faces a long-term absence, coach Carrick will have to reconsider his options in the goalkeeper position with the transfer window still open.

Notably, these injuries come at a time when MU has little preparation time left for the Premier League. The Red Devils will start the season with a match against Hull City on August 22nd.

The midfield is also an area that Carrick must pay special attention to. The departure of Casemiro and the fitness issues of Manuel Ugarte mean the squad depth is not yet ideal. If Mount is sidelined for a long period, Carrick's personnel puzzle becomes even more complicated.

MU can only wait for medical test results to know the severity of the two injuries. However, if Mount or Heaton have to sit out for an extended period, Carrick may well have to consider a move in the transfer market before the Premier League officially kicks off.