Defensive crisis: Michael Carrick
The England midfielder has been sidelined with an injury that he picked up in training ahead of the 3-2 win over Fulham at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick said that the former Chelsea man could be back in contention to play this week, having returned to the grass at Carrington.
One player United’s interim head coach will be sweating over is Luke Shaw, who was hauled off with an injury in the 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The left-back, who has been a mainstay in that position since Carrick’s arrival, suffered a stud at the top of his left boot after a collision with Palace’s Daniel Munoz in the first half, and he was replaced by Noussair Mazraoui.
Afterwards, Carrick said that the full-back “just [wasn’t] feeling too well so hopefully [he] will be feeling better soon."
Injured: Luke Shaw
There is also a question mark over Harry Maguire, who has come to the fore since Carrick took over.
The England defender was substituted in favour of Ayden Heaven at the weekend.
Lisandro Martinez is another that the Red Devils are missing, after the Argentine suffered a calf injury before the win over Everton.
The defender also missed out on the Palace encounter, although Carrick deems his return “close”.
"We will have to wait and see,” he explained. “He is close and he is not far away, but it is hard to say at the moment."
Maguire, Martinez and Shaw’s injury concerns mean that United are short-changed in central defence, with Leny Yoro and Heaven their only recognised senior options should the trio all be ruled out.
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At left-back, Patrick Dorgu is another big miss, meaning that either natural right-backs Mazraoui or Diogo Dalot will be forced to fill on on their less-preferred side.
In the rest of the lineup, you would expect Casemiro to be partnered by Kobbie Mainoo once more in midfield, with Bruno Fernandes ahead of them.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo will play off the flanks, and Benjamin Sesko scored on his first start under Carrick against Palace. That should be enough for the Slovenian to keep his place.
Predicted Man Utd XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Heaven, Mazraoui; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Doubts: Mount, Shaw, Maguire, Martinez
Injured: Dorgu, de Ligt
Venue: St James’ Park
Date and time: 8.15pm GMT on Wednesday, March 4, 2026
How to watch: TNT Sports