Chelsea must capitalize on Manchester United showing up to Saturday’s match with their top defenders injured or suspended, relying on youth players to face the contest.
The Red Devils are suffering a crisis in their defense after Yoro’s injury, which was added to the list of absentees. According to The Sun, the player, 20, did not travel with Manchester United to London from Stockport, raising fears that he will be out for a long time. At the club, fear is growing that his season is over.
United’s problems are getting worse: three more center backs are out. Harry Maguire serves an extra one-game suspension after being sent off against Bournemouth for calling fourth official Matt Donohue a “f------ joke.” Additionally, the club failed to overturn Lisandro Martinez’s red card for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair in the loss to Leeds.
He will miss the matches against Chelsea, Brentford, and Liverpool. Also, Matthijs de Ligt has not played since Nov. 30 due to a back injury. This accumulation of absences leaves the visitors with a severely depleted defense, just as they try to recover from the 2-1 loss at Old Trafford.
Without Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, or De Ligt, Ayden Heaven is the only available center back. He will likely partner with Luke Shaw, who has experience in a back four under Ten Hag. That restructuring could return Dalot to the starting lineup after he sat on the bench against Leeds.
Another option is academy product Tyler Fredricson, who traveled to Bournemouth last month. However, his confidence could be low after being substituted in the League Cup against Grimsby Town in August, when United was losing 2-0 to a League Two team. Whatever the pairing, United will field a very experimental defense at Stamford Bridge.
The situation is familiar to Carrick. His Premier League debut as Manchester United’s coach was also at Chelsea’s ground, in November 2021, when he was serving as interim manager. He chose a three-man defense then and got a 1-1 draw; now, with few players available, he could again turn to pragmatic tactical changes.
The Red Devils received a small boost by including Kobbie Mainoo in the squad after he recovered from a minor injury that kept him from playing against Leeds. United must seek victory at all costs, as the competition for Champions League spots is stronger than ever.
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