Manchester United traveled to Chelsea with only one confirmed centre-back after injuries to Lenny Yolo and Matthijs de Ligt and suspensions for Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez.
Michael Carrick calls up Aiden Haven amid Manchester United’s defensive crisis (Image: Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Nousser Mazraoui will partner Aiden Haven as Manchester United’s centre-back as part of the provisional squad for the game against Chelsea. Manager Michael Carrick was forced to call up right-back Mazraoui and 19-year-old Haven in trades after manager Lenny Yolo missed the trip to Stamford Bridge and was joined by three of his fellow central defenders.
United were already without Matthijs de Ligt due to a long-term back injury before the crisis worsened this week. First, Lisandro Martinez was shown a straight red card for violent conduct in Monday’s 2-1 home defeat to Leeds.
Despite United’s appeal, the suspension was upheld and Martinez was suspended for three games. And on Wednesday, it was confirmed that Harry Maguire will also be suspended for the game against Chelsea.
Maguire’s one-match suspension will be extended to two after he verbally abused officials after being sent off in last month’s away game against Bournemouth. The centre-back was also fined £30,000.
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Yoro was not seen accompanying United Airlines on Friday’s flight to London. It then emerged that the Frenchman had suffered an injury, forcing Carrick to reconsider.
“Hopefully it’s a minor injury for Yoro, but he won’t be available today,” the Red Devils manager said before kick-off. “It’s part of football, you know?
“In terms of injuries, we have a really good squad. We have Lenny, we have Matthijs who has been out for a bit longer, we have Patrick (Dorg). With the two suspensions, all of a sudden we have less options at centre-back. We can adapt and we can make the most of it.”
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Nousser Mazraoui plays as a centre-back against Chelsea (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
United also only have one confirmed defender on the bench, Tyrrell Malasia. In positive news, Koby Mainu has returned to the starting lineup after missing the game against Leeds due to injury.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been hit by injuries themselves. With Liam Rosenior without João Pedro, Liam Delap will be used up front.
Enzo Fernandes has also returned to Chelsea’s side after being sanctioned by the club for comments he made about his future during the international break. Alejandro Garnacho is on the bench and could play against his former club United for the first time.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez. Gusto, fofana, pigeon, cucurella. Caicedo, Enzo. Estebao, Palmer, Neto. Delap
Man United 11: Lamence. Dalot, Mazrawi, Heaven, Shaw. Casemiro, Mainu. Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha. Sesco
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