The latest Manchester United team news and injury updates ahead of a crucial Premier League showdown with Chelsea.
Despite the apparent likelihood that Michael Carrick would be relieved of his duties as Manchester United manager following last weekend’s dismal 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, he will still be in the dugout for Saturday’s Premier League game against Chelsea – but his hopes of securing a first win in nine games and giving himself some much-needed breathing room may well be dented by injuries.
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Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw are among the key players who are doubts for the lunchtime kick-off at Stamford Bridge, while Carrick also faces a big decision as to whether to bring captain Bruno Fernandes back into the starting XI after dropping him following his public criticism of the coaching.
With kick-off in a massive match fast approaching, we’ve collected all of the latest Manchester United team news and injury updates below, along with our prediction for Carrick’s likely starting line-up as he hopes to save his job.
Will Bruno Fernandes start against Chelsea?
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Bruno Fernandes was an unused substitute during last Sunday’s humiliating defeat at Old Trafford after he openly criticised Carrick’s management following the 4-1 loss to Como in the Champions League.
Following the senior management’s decision to give Carrick more time, the head coach and his captain reportedly held clear-the-air talks at the club’s Carrington training ground on Tuesday – but it’s not known whether Fernandes apologised, or whether Carrick is ready to bring the Portugal international back into his starting line-up.
Complicating the picture further is the fact that Fernandes may have also picked up a minor injury, with The Evening Standard reporting that he was seen training off to the side on Monday as a result of a knock.
Carrick is expected to discuss Fernandes’ availability during his Friday pre-match press conference, but initial reports suggest that the talks between the head coach and his most important player were likely sufficiently successful for the 32-year-old to be brought back into the fold.
Mainoo and Rashford among Man Utd injury doubts
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Fernandes isn’t the only player whose inclusion in the starting line-up is in doubt – several first-team regulars are working through minor injuries, including midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who has been sidelined for three weeks now by an unspecified muscular injury. The initial timeline provided by Carrick suggests that Mainoo could make his comeback against Chelsea, but his return to full training has yet to be confirmed by the club. He is expected to be in contention, at least.
There’s even less clarity on the status of Marcus Rashford, who is struggling with a hip injury. Manchester United have not provided a timeline for his return, nor a full prognosis, and it’s unclear whether he has any chance of being involved against Chelsea. Full-back Luke Shaw is expected to be ruled out by an undisclosed injury, but is expected to be in line to play next week barring unexpected setbacks.
It was also confirmed this week that striker Benjamin Šeško faces a lengthy lay-off due to a shin injury which has troubled him since before the last international break. The Slovenian is expected to be out of action until January, and will join Patrick Dorgu (hamstring) and Manuel Ugarte (ACL) in the treatment room.
Manchester United predicted XI vs. Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martínez, Mazraoui; Tielemans, Baleba; Cunha, Fernandes, Diallo; Mbeumo.