The Red Devils and Michael Carrick have a golden opportunity to take a big step towards qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League.<\/p>\n
Carrick’s side could widen their lead to 10 points or fall behind with a loss.<\/p>\n
“I think the players reacted well to this result and reacted well during the game, especially in the second half,” he explained. <\/p>\n
“Sometimes things don’t go right in games. We didn’t start the game the way we wanted, but I think the players responded really well to the situation we were in in the second half and it was really positive to see.” <\/p>\n
\u201cThat feeling continues this week as we have an important game on Saturday and I hope to enjoy playing with the extra players for the last 30 minutes or so against Chelsea.\u201d<\/p>\n
Red cards have been a feature of United’s games since Carrick was replaced by Ruben Amorim in January.<\/p>\n
There have been five red cards in the last eight games the club has been involved in, with Harry Maguire and Martinez the only United players to have been sent off in that period, although both of those red cards have occurred in back-to-back matches.<\/p>\n
Are there disciplinary issues that need to be resolved following recent sendings off?<\/p>\n
![\"photograph\"](\"https:\/\/imgresizer.tntsports.io\/unsafe\/1200x0\/filters:format(jpeg)\/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io\/2026\/03\/04\/image-5b3ad2ab-fcee-4552-816d-28b0aaf9a31b-85-2560-1440.jpeg\")
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nRamsey sent off after receiving second diving warning against Manchester City<\/p>\n
Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
“Actually, I don’t think there’s any need to make a fuss,” Carrick says. \u201cWe\u2019re doing well, I think the Harry incident could happen, but I don\u2019t really know what to say to Richa to do something different regarding his sending off. <\/p>\n
“It wasn’t a good call by the referee. We’ve been involved in games where other teams got red cards. <\/p>\n
“It’s going to be an intense game at Stamford Bridge and we have to be ready to control our emotions.”<\/p>\n
“He has always been involved in important moments.”<\/h2>\n
Chelsea have the worst disciplinary record in the Premier League this season with seven red cards, so there could be more sending offs in west London on Saturday night.<\/p>\n
In the reverse match, both teams were reduced to 10 men, with Roberto Sanchez receiving an early red card and Casemiro receiving a second booking just before half-time.<\/p>\n
The Brazil international was the winner again on the day as United defeated the Blues 2-1 at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n
Chelsea are Casemiro’s favorite opponents in the Premier League, and the midfielder has scored three goals against them since moving to Manchester four years ago.<\/p>\n
The Blues will be happy that this will be the last time they will face the Brazilian, who has announced that he will be leaving Old Trafford at the end of this season.<\/p>\n
![\"photograph\"](\"https:\/\/imgresizer.tntsports.io\/unsafe\/1200x0\/filters:format(jpeg)\/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io\/2026\/03\/27\/image-8c7c3b4f-18d9-4a0c-a970-2bd80fb7cd6d-85-2560-1440.jpeg\")
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWho will replace Casemiro? Fernandez’s successor? What does Manchester United need this summer?<\/p>\n
Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Casemiro is enjoying the best scoring season of his career with eight goals so far, including a header against Leeds, but Carrick is not surprised by his threat in the opposition box.<\/p>\n
“Casemiro always had the talent to score goals,” he says. \u201cHe has moments in the box, he knows exactly where the ball is going to fall, he\u2019s really calm and he can finish calmly. <\/p>\n
“Generally speaking, the amount of goals and their importance shows that he has that quality in the box, which was very important for us.”<\/p>\n
Casemiro has also developed a relationship with midfield partner Bruno Fernandes, who has assisted the Brazilian’s last six goals.<\/p>\n
Both midfielders linked up again against Leeds, and although it wasn’t enough for the Red Devils to pick up a point, it meant Fernandes only needed four more assists to break the league record set by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.<\/p>\n
“Bruno has been a big influence since I’ve been here,” Carrick says. “He was successful in linking up with Casemiro and his goals were important. <\/p>\n
“He has always been involved in important moments since he has been at the club.”<\/p>\n
When asked about their connection, Carrick explained: “I think part of the game is building that connection, and sometimes it’s personal and sometimes it’s tactical. <\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes on the pitch there is a wavelength where you can understand each other in the moment and I think we both have that. <\/p>\n
![\"photograph\"](\"https:\/\/imgresizer.tntsports.io\/unsafe\/1200x0\/filters:format(jpeg)\/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io\/2026\/03\/04\/image-601913cc-71cc-4e39-8f18-8f5072174f18-85-2560-1440.jpeg\")
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nCasemiro puts Manchester United in front thanks to Fernandes’ stunning strike<\/p>\n
Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
“Sometimes it’s set-pieces, sometimes they link up in different areas of the pitch. They have a perfect understanding of what the opposition players bring to the table in certain phases of the game and what they like at certain moments.”<\/p>\n
One of the missing pieces in midfield in the loss to Leeds was Koby Mainu.<\/p>\n
The youngster has shone since returning to the first team following Carrick’s arrival and is back in contention to represent England at this summer’s FIFA World Cup.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old missed Monday’s defeat due to injury, but Carrick hinted he could feature in the big game against Chelsea and detailed why the midfielder is an integral part of the team’s success.<\/p>\n
“Coby is still a young player so it’s important that we address his development and help him learn and improve,” he explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think his natural traits are winning the ball and being comfortable in those situations, and he always had that in his locker from an early age. <\/p>\n
“He hasn’t phased at all and has a really level-headed demeanor, which has really helped him and he’s already played in some of the biggest games in football in his career. <\/p>\n
“He has a lot of good things about his game, including his calmness in dealing with certain things, and his technical ability is undisputed.”<\/p>\n
![\"photograph\"](\"https:\/\/imgresizer.tntsports.io\/unsafe\/1200x0\/filters:format(jpeg)\/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io\/2026\/03\/21\/image-f435ef30-9075-4e83-b539-f28bb65ee7f6-85-2560-1440.jpeg\")
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n‘He’s joined the England squad’ \u2013 Gerrard on Maynou’s return to the national team<\/p>\n
Video credit: TNT Sports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
With all the key players fit, Carrick looks balanced in midfield, but what about up front?<\/p>\n
Summer signings Matheus Cunha, Brian Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko have all enjoyed impressive moments on their debuts, but it is rare for all three to start a game.<\/p>\n
In fact, neither player has been able to get on the scoresheet since Sesco scored the winning goal against Crystal Palace in early March.<\/p>\n
How does Carrick rate the season so far?<\/p>\n
“All of those players up front are going to give us something different,” he said. “I think Brian and Matth\u00e4us have performed very well this season, and Ben also showed that he is finding his way and was still able to score important goals. <\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes it takes some time to get used to things after arriving at the club, but they have shown their attributes, personality and flexibility to play in different roles and it is good for the team to have players who can help us in that aspect.\u201d<\/p>\n
All three players will be expected to play a role at Stamford Bridge, allowing United to pull away from their rivals in the race for the top five, but Carrick warns the showdown should not be seen as a Champions League decider.<\/p>\n
“This is by no means a final,” he says with a smile. \u201cThere are five more games after this so there will be a lot of football to be played. <\/p>\n
“The final is a one-shot game and it’s not a situation like this. There’s clearly a seven-point difference between the two teams going into the game and there’s a lot to play for. <\/p>\n
“It’s a different game, but it’s an important game. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe know the benefits of a good result when you play against teams that are close to you in league play, but that doesn\u2019t define Champions League football.\u201d<\/p>\n