Manchester United, ManU v Liverpool - Premier League Michael Carrick, manager of Manchester United, celebrates with fans as they chant his name following the 3-2 win during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford, Manchester, United Kingdom, on May 3, 2026. Manchester Greater Manchester United Kingdom PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xNewsxImagesx originalFilename:cosgrove-premierl260503_np0Ps.jpg
Manchester United head into the international break amid uncertainty over their manager. A 4-4 draw at home to Aston Villa has left Michael Carrick under pressure and is expected to be sacked.
The Red Devils are languishing in the Premier League relegation zone. Harry Maguire lasted just 45 minutes on Sunday before suffering a suspected back injury, adding to the club’s concerns.
“Harry had a bad back,” Carrick told MUTV. “A really bad back spasm that he had with maybe 10-15 minutes to go in the first half. I don’t know how bad it is but, going into the internationals, there should be plenty of time for him to recover.”
Carlos Baleba, meanwhile, will be sidelined for several weeks with a hamstring injury sustained against Roma last week. The summer signing had only recently made his debut after arriving with an injury.
Marcus Rashford also remains out with a persistent hip problem that has kept him sidelined since last month’s 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid. He had been expected to return against Villa but will instead use the international break to build up his fitness.
According to the Daily Mail, left-back Luke Shaw is targeting a return for the trip to Liverpool after the November international break.
The 31-year-old has not featured since playing 90 minutes against Tottenham on October 10, missing seven games for Manchester United.
His absence has exposed United’s lack of depth at left-back, an area the club’s hierarchy failed to address in the transfer window despite an obvious need.
Diogo Dalot has struggled while deputising on his unfavoured side and was jeered by fans when he was substituted against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday.
With Patrick Dorgu also back in contention, Shaw is hoping to return for the trip to Anfield, which would be a timely boost for a defence that has conceded the joint-most goals in all competitions among clubs in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
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