Michael Carrick fumes at ‘absolutely shocking’ dismissal
Manchester United are notably short on defensive options for this weekend’s Premier League trip to Chelsea.
Michael Carrick’s side head to Stamford Bridge on Saturday night for an important clash between top-six rivals still without Harry Maguire, who has received an additional one-match suspension from the Football Association (FA).
The England centre-back was sent off during the 2-2 draw at Bournemouth last month after giving away a second-half penalty, subsequently missing Monday night’s shock 2-1 home defeat by rivals Leeds.
Maguire will remain unavailable against Chelsea, having been hit with an extra one-game ban for what he said to the fourth official following his dismissal at the Vitality Stadium, which led to an FA charge of improper conduct.
To compound United’s defensive headache, Lisandro Martinez was also red-carded on his return from a calf injury against Leeds for pulling the hair of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin - a decision an angry Carrick described as “one of the worst I've seen”.
Martinez will serve a three-match ban and miss games against Chelsea, Brentford and Liverpool, unless United succeed with their appeal against the dismissal.
With Maguire and Martinez both banned and it remaining unclear if Matthijs de Ligt will play again this season due to a lingering back injury that has kept him out since November, Carrick looks likely to turn to teenager Ayden Heaven to start alongside Leny Yoro in central defence against Chelsea.
Double blow: Manchester United will not have Harry Maguire or Lisandro Martinez against Chelsea
Diogo Dalot should be reinstalled at right-back having only come off the bench against Leeds following illness as Noussair Mazraoui returned, with Luke Shaw at left-back and Senne Lammens in goal.
Kobbie Mainoo missed the Leeds defeat with an issue that Carrick insisted was not serious, with Manuel Ugarte stepping into midfield alongside Casemiro before then sitting in defence following Martinez’s red.
Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha should all start again in attack, with Bryan Mbeumo potentially replacing Benjamin Sesko up front.
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It remains to be seen when Patrick Dorgu will be ready to return from a hamstring injury.
Predicted Man Utd XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Heaven, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo
Doubts: Dorgu, Mainoo
Injured: De Ligt
Suspended: Maguire, Martinez
Time and date: 8pm BST on Saturday April 18, 2026
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
How to watch: Sky Sports