Manchester United are competing with Chelsea for a Champions League qualification spot and the Blues will be without their captain and key player Reece James for several weeks.
Manchester United returned to winning ways over the weekend with a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa, and results elsewhere in the Premier League mostly went in the Red Devils’ favour.
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior pointed out his squad’s fatigue after their defeat to Newcastle United over the weekend, and the London club dropping points has put United comfortably third in the Premier League table.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea captain Reece James has suffered a hamstring injury that is expected to leave him on the sidelines for “several weeks”.
Michael Carrick at St. James' Park
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
What a great weekend – How confident are you Man Utd will secure Champions League football?
United win vs Villa as Liverpool and Chelsea BOTH drop points
CL race standings
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Reece James could miss Man United clash
There are eight games remaining in United’s 2025/26 season, and Michael Carrick is still yet to face some Champions League contenders in those matches.
United face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in mid-April, and the timeline of James’ injury means he is now at risk of missing that clash.
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James has easily been one of Chelsea’s best players this season, with Rosenior labelling him the best right-back in world football when his new contract was announced last week.
Chelsea host Manchester City just six days before welcoming United to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, and James could be ruled out of both matches.
Man Utd injury latest – Who do you want to see start at centre-back with Martinez and De Ligt still out?
Noussair Mazraoui is available and Mason Mount is back in training
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Man United injury news ahead of Champions League run-in
The next eight matches will decide United’s fate for the 2026/27 season, with Champions League qualification on the horizon.
Michael Carrick issued an update on Lisandro Martinez’s fitness as the World Cup-winning defender targets his return from injury. United have also been without Matthijs de Ligt and Mason Mount as long-term absentees.
READ MORE: Michael Carrick’s six updates on Mason Mount: A timeline of Man Utd star’s battle to get fit in 2026
Patrick Dorgu has been spotted back at Carrington as he continues to recover from his setback.
United face Bournemouth next and Carrick will hope to have a few of his absent players back available. De Ligt avoided surgery but he has faced multiple setbacks in his recovery. Carrick is expected to provide further injury updates in his pre-match press conference.
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