Manchester United have been handed a potential boost ahead of their Premier League clash against Chelsea on the road on Saturday.
The Red Devils are on an eight-match winless streak in all competitions. They recently suffered a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick still has the backing of the hierarchy for the managerial role, and he will be aiming to end the club’s dreadful run at Stamford Bridge.
Ahead of the game, the Red Devils have received a big boost with Blues centre-back Maxence Lacroix sustaining a hamstring injury at Anfield.
The Frenchman started in the heart of the defence for the Blues in tonight’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie against Liverpool.
He pulled up clutching his left thigh just after Cody Gakpo’s equaliser (1-1) and had to be replaced by Levi Colwill in first-half stoppage time.
The exact nature of the setback will be revealed after the game (second half ongoing), but his absence is an obvious boost for the Red Devils.
The former Crystal Palace man has been a brilliant acquisition for the Blues since his £52 million switch during the summer transfer window.
He has been a vital player for Chelsea, starting every game except one this term. His absence should weaken the Blues’ backline on Saturday.
If Alonso reverts to a back three this weekend, he has the option to play Wesley Fofana or Jorrel Hato alongside Josh Acheampong and Levi Colwill.
However, Hato may continue as a left wing-back with Pep Chavarria still deemed unfit.
Fofana seems the likely solution, but he does not offer the strong aerial and physical presence of Lacroix and can be error-prone in his positioning.
Of course, United still need to work hard for a much-needed victory, but they would not mind a slightly weakened Blues backline for the encounter.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com