Manchester United face Chelsea with a problem at the centre-back position, which should bring an obvious answer.
Harry Maguire has been handed an additional one-match ban following his sending off against Bournemouth.
Maguire was given the ban for ‘improper conduct‘, due to his reaction towards the officials.
We could vent all day about the FA’s decision, and the delayed timing. They took 26 days to come to this conclusion.
But right here we are looking ahead to the game with Chelsea, where United face a straightforward scenario that should not be made more complicated.
With Lisandro Martinez facing a suspension too, and Matthijs de Ligt out injured, Manchester United have only two fit centre-backs, Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven.
And it is imperative that Michael Carrick selects this duo, and does not deviate.
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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No to the Casemiro option
Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are two talented centre-backs who both lack experience. They are a pairing that United hope can grow to be great together in the future.
Normally they would not be selected together, with successive managers preferring to select one of them with a more experienced option.
This could be the first time Yoro and Heaven start together, and United should embrace this opportunity.
There is another alternative – for United to select Casemiro at centre-back.
This could happen if Kobbie Mainoo returns to partner Manuel Ugarte.
Or if Bruno Fernandes drops into a deeper role with Mason Mount as an attacking midfielder.
Casemiro has played at centre-back before, many times.
But most of these came during the 2023/24 season, his worst during his four years at the club.
Right now Casemiro is too important in midfield to be shifted about. It would be too disruptive to the team to move him into defence, and it could also limit his opportunities to get forward and attack.
United could make this move to drop Casemiro back if they want an experienced head in defence. It may be viewed as less risky than starting two young defenders.
But it would be the wrong move, and it would send the wrong message.
What concerns you most ahead of Manchester United’s fixture with Chelsea?
Michael Carrick reacts as he walks down the tunnel at half-time during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leeds United at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
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Let Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven shine
Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven could be the future of Manchester United’s defence. That’s a big burden to put on their shoulders at a young age.
But both players have shown they are good enough to contribute in the present.
At the age of 20, Yoro has already racked up 63 appearances for United, while Heaven was named as Manchester United’s player of the month back in December.
The best way to develop is by playing matches, and this is a great opportunity to shine against an out-of-form Chelsea side.
Casemiro won’t be here next season, but Yoro and Heaven will. They must get the chance in their favoured role, while the Brazilian must be kept where he can be at his dominant best, in central-midfield.
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