Luke Shaw’s insight into Michael Carrick’s Old Trafford interim reign shows the Manchester United legend will find a solution to his setbacks over Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez.
Harry Maguire missed Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Leeds United at Old Trafford on Monday evening after his sending off against Bournemouth last month.
But the Red Devils faced a further setback after it was revealed that Man Utd would be without Maguire for the Chelsea match due to an additional ban handed down.
Maguire’s absence for United is only one setback, as Michael Carrick has now also been left without Lisandro Martinez for the Premier League clash against Chelsea.
READ MORE:Roy Keane defends Lisandro Martinez red card after admitting ‘both sides’ had case in Man Utd’s defeat vs Leeds
Bruno Fernandes celebrates with teammates Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire during the UEFA Europa League 2024-25 league phase match between Manchester United and Rangers at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, in 2025.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Luke Shaw has already praised Michael Carrick’s pragmatic approach at Man Utd in the post-Ruben Amorim era
Lisandro Martinez is serving a three-match Premier League ban after the Argentina defender received a straight red in Manchester United’s defeat to Leeds United.
The absences of Martinez and Maguire are a seminal moment in Michael Carrick’s interim reign amid the Red Devils’ pursuit of a top-four finish this season.
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Luke Shaw, who has enjoyed a steady run of form under United legend Carrick, has already reinforced that the 44-year-old interim head coach can weather the storm.
The 30-year-old United and England left-back argued that one of Carrick’s biggest strengths is that he can unlock the best potential with the players at his disposal.
“He’s made lots of differences,” Shaw told talkSPORT in February.
“But for me, the biggest one is he knows the club, and he knows exactly what’s needed to win football matches, to make everyone happy and to enjoy what we’re doing.
“He’s, of course, won a lot when he was here as a player. So, he understands the club, and I think that’s the biggest thing for me.
“He knows how to get the best out of the players, and he’s really doing that.”
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Harry Maguire has been given an extra game ban vs Chelsea due to misconduct – Let us know your thoughts….
With Martinez suspended too, it means Yoro and Heaven are expected to start…
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Michael Carrick’s solution to the Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez suspensions is right in front of him at Man Utd
If Shaw’s assessment of Carrick turns out to be accurate, then the England and Man Utd defender’s teammate will tap into his full options in the United first-team squad.
Carrick will have former Man Utd captain Maguire back after the Chelsea match, so the only other concern will be waiting for Martinez to return for the Red Devils.
While Matthijs de Ligt is out of action with a long-term injury, both Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven should be Carrick’s first and only options for the Man Utd defence.
Shaw said that Carrick knew how to unlock the “best out of the players” that he has and it should be no different for either Leny Yoro or Ayden Heaven at Man Utd.
The trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday has become more difficult now, but Carrick’s pragmatic approach will be the key to his success at United.
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