Michael Carrick explains Amad absence from Hull City opener

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Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick has explained that Amad has missed the opening league game against Hull City after suffering an injury in training late in the week, according to the club’s official website.

The forward is not included in the Red Devils’ matchday squad for the fixture at the MKM Stadium.

His absence represented an early setback for Carrick, particularly after the player had reportedly looked sharp in preparation for the new campaign.

Late training issue rules Amad out

Carrick told MUTV before the match that Amad had picked up what he described as a “niggle” towards the end of the training week.

The head coach added that the problem would need to be assessed before United could establish the extent of the injury or provide a clearer return date.

Carrick expressed hope that the problem would not keep the attacker sidelined for an extended period, although he stressed that the club must wait for the results of its checks.

The United boss also revealed his disappointment because Amad had been looking forward to the start of the season.

However, Carrick maintained that his squad contained sufficient depth to cope with the forward’s absence while the medical assessment continued.

Carrick reshuffles attacking line

With Amad unavailable, Patrick Dorgu, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo occupy the three attacking roles in Carrick’s starting line-up at Hull.

The enforced change was notable given Amad’s availability throughout much of the previous league campaign.

According to the club, aside from his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations, the only league fixture he missed during the preceding season was the 3-1 defeat away to Brentford in September.

His latest absence was therefore an unusual one in the context of that recent record, but Carrick did not offer a definitive prognosis before kick-off.

The report also identified Tom Heaton, Matthijs de Ligt and Mason Mount as United’s other injury absentees for the opening match.

For now, the focus will be on the outcome of Amad’s assessment, with Carrick making clear that the club hopes to have him available again soon.

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