How will Michael Carrick set up in defence? With only one senior centre-back available, Manchester United travel to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
Manchester United’s return to the pitch on Monday night ended in frustration, as Leeds United left Old Trafford with a 2–1 victory.
After a 24-day break, Michael Carrick’s side had hoped to continue their push for a Champions League spot, but the defeat means they are now level on points with Aston Villa in third and fourth place.
Attention now shifts to Saturday evening’s trip to Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea—also in the hunt for a top-five finish—await. Liam Rosenior’s team head into the match in poor form, having lost four of their last five league games.
A win for United would mark a strong response and open up a ten-point gap over sixth-placed Chelsea, giving them a firmer hold on a Champions League place for next season.
How does Carrick replace Yoro?
As for who will play in the fixture, one certainty is that Senne Lammens will remain in goal, as he has done for every fixture since his debut for the club back in October 2025.
Another is that, due to a lack of other options, Ayden Heaven will start. The young star has become United's only fit senior centre-back, with Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro both injured, while Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez are suspended.
As for auxiliary options, Casemiro has previously filled in at centre-back, although this is unlikely to happen again. The best option may become Noussair Mazraoui, who has decent height and great on-the-ball abilities.
The Moroccan international is also a very competent defender, and could partner Heaven well as a right-sided centre-back, with the latter on the left. In this case, Diogo Dalot would play at right-back, with Luke Shaw on the left flank.
In midfield, Casemiro is expected to resume his position in the middle of the park, with Kobbie Mainoo having returned to training and travelled to Stamford Bridge, much to the relief of fans after they missed the fixture against Leeds.
Bruno Fernandes, club captain and man chasing the Premier League assist record, will play as the attacking midfielder. He's on 17 assists this campaign, with the record jointly held by Kevin de Bruyne and Theiry Henry, with 20 each.
In the attack, this is where a further change could be made. Bryan Mbeumo was on the bench against Leeds and is on a poor run of form, but has often been brilliant for United against other big six teams this campaign.
Considering how much of a dogfight the tie could become, having Mbeumo up front over Benjamin Šeško, with the latter coming off the bench, could be the best move forward.
Then, with United no doubt needing runners and players who can keep the ball at their feet, Matheus Cunha and Amad would likely be the best possible options on the left and right wings.
United predicted XI vs Chelsea: Lammens, Dalot, Mazraoui, Heaven, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo.