Michael Carrick explains Amad Diallo injury absence from Hull vs. Man United

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has explained why Amad Diallo was not included in the matchday squad to face Hull City in the Premier League.

The Red Devils lined up with an attacking quartet of Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Patrick Dorgu and Matheus Cunha at the MKM Stadium, where Diallo was nowhere to be seen.

The Ivory Coast attacker featured in four Man United pre-season friendlies following the World Cup, including a 61-minute run-out in their 4-2 defeat to AC Milan last weekend.

Diallo was also not name-checked in Carrick's press conference injury update, so there was nothing to suggest that he would not be involved in the lunchtime kickoff.

However, following confirmation of Diallo's absence from the teamsheet, Carrick revealed to the media that the 24-year-old had sustained a training injury, albeit while not delving into too much detail.

Michael Carrick issues update on Amad Diallo injury

"He just picked up a niggle right at the end of the week, in training. We’ll assess that and see where he’s at," the Man United manager told MUTV ahead of kickoff.

"Hopefully, it won’t be too long but we’ll have to wait and see. He was in a good place, Amad. He was looking sharp and obviously looking forward to the season, so it’s disappointing but, unfortunately, that’s part of it. We’ve got the squad that we can cope with it, so we’ve got to keep moving and, hopefully, we’ll get Amad back soon."

Diallo was one of five injury absentees from the Man United squad at the MKM Stadium, where Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, Tom Heaton and Mason Mount failed to make the matchday squad.

Without the Ivorian in the ranks, Man Utd fell went into half time with a shock 2-0 deficit to make up, thanks to efforts from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy.

Diallo managed two goals and four assists in 32 Premier League games for Man United in the 2025-26 campaign, and he found the net twice for Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup.

How long could Amad Diallo be out for?

While Carrick gave little away regarding the nature or severity of Diallo's issue, there is hope that the 24-year-old's problem is only a minor one.

As a result, Diallo could potentially return for next Sunday's first Premier League home game of the season against Ipswich Town, or failing that the trip to Everton on September 6.

However, the return to fitness of Benjamin Sesko gives Carrick additional attacking cover, allowing the Man United boss to deploy any of Mbeumo, Dorgu, Cunha and Marcus Rashford out wide.

Diallo has already missed 61 matches for club and country due to injury, most notably due to a serious knee problem in 2023 and moderate ankle problem in early 2025.