Michael Carrick has a central defensive crisis to worry about ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Manchester United will aim to return to winning ways and strengthen their grip on the third spot in the Premier League standings when they lock horns with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night. Michael Carrick has new issues to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture.

Lisandro Martinez is the latest absentee after being sent off in the Premier League game against Leeds United earlier this week. Additionally, Leny Yoro is unavailable after reportedly sustaining an unspecified injury, which has forced him to miss the trip to London and may keep him in the treatment room for the remainder of the season.

With Harry Maguire still serving a suspension, the visitors have a central defensive crisis, as Matthijs de Ligt (lower back) remains on the sidelines alongside Patrick Dorgu. Additionally, Kobbie Mainoo faces a late fitness test to determine his availability. Meanwhile, during his pre-match press conference, Carrick discussed the absence of Maguire and Martinez. The English tactician also provided fitness updates on Dorgu and Mainoo.

The Manchester United head coach said, “To be honest, there’s not much we can react to. 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.”

“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.”

Meanwhile, during his press conference, Carrick discussed Ayden Heaven’s prospects in the absence of Maguire and Martinez. The Manchester United boss said, “I think Ayden’s in a good place. 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.”

Senne Lammens is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Chelsea on Saturday. The backline will feature Diogo Dalot, Tyler Fredricson, Ayden Heaven, and Luke Shaw. Alternatively, Shaw may start alongside Heaven, with Noussair Mazraoui starting as the left-back.

As for the midfield unit, Manuel Ugarte will line up alongside Casemiro in the double pivot, as it is unclear if Kobbie Mainoo is fit and available to feature from the get-go. Bruno Fernandes will reprise the no. 10 role, with Amad Diallo and Matheus Cunha reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Bryan Mbeumo should lead the line for the away side against Chelsea on Saturday. So, Benjamin Sesko will be a backup option on the bench.

Predicted Manchester United XI: Lammens; Dalot, Fredricson, Heaven, Shaw; Casemiro, Ugarte; Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo