Carrick provides team news as Man Utd face Chelsea with depleted defence
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has shared an update on his squad ahead of their crucial Premier League encounter with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The Saturday night fixture carries significant weight in the race for a UEFA Champions League spot, with United currently holding a seven-point cushion over Chelsea as both sides battle within the top-six positions. A top-five finish will guarantee qualification for Europe’s elite competition next season.
Defence nightmare
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United will have to cope without key defenders Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, who are both suspended. Maguire’s absence has been extended following his red card against Bournemouth, while Martinez is serving a three-match ban after his sending-off in the defeat to Leeds United.
Reacting to the situation, Carrick admitted his frustration but emphasized the need to move forward. “To be honest, there’s not much we can react to,” he said. “Massively disappointed, of course. I think quite a few reasons to be disappointed in a big way over those types of situations over the last three weeks. But, obviously, now we’ve got to move on, the decisions have been made, it’s something that we’re really disappointed with in many ways, but that’s it now. We’ve got to move on and we will do.”
Young defender Ayden Heaven is among the options to step in, with Carrick expressing confidence in the youngster’s development. “I think Ayden’s in a good place,” he said. “Well, I know he’s in a good place. He’s obviously still young and he’s progressing through the early stages of his career, so I think it’s pretty natural for him to play some games and maybe not some others.
“He’s training really well, he’s learning, he’s listening, he wants to improve. So, I think it’s pretty natural, for a centre-half of his age, he’s probably well ahead of schedule in terms of the games that he’s played.
“He’s trained well, I’ve got no worries. He went away and played with England a couple of weeks ago and done well, so yeah, [he’s] looking forward to the game, for sure.”
Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo remains a doubt after missing the loss to Leeds due to an injury picked up in training, while Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu is nearing a return but is not yet ready for selection. Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt continues to be sidelined.
Providing an update on the injured players, Carrick said: “Patrick’s not [ready] no. He’s going well, he’s rehabbing well, he’s kind of on track, but he’s not with us in terms of training yet. But he’s back on the pitch, as I’ve already said, so that’s positive, that he’s doing really well.
“Kobbie, [is doing] little bits yeah, we’re working towards it. He’s done little bits, so there’s a decision to be made there.”
Chelsea situation
On the Chelsea side, Enzo Fernandez is available again after suspension, while Liam Rosenior is hopeful Trevoh Chalobah will be fit. However, Levi Colwill is still regaining match fitness, and players like Reece James and Mykhailo Mudryk remain unavailable.
With both teams dealing with absences, the clash is shaping up to be a decisive contest in the race for Champions League qualification.
