Matthijs de Ligt News

Manchester United 'not sure' about one player as Michael Carrick makes huge Liverpool claim

Matheus Cunha remains a doubt to face Liverpool this weekend - as Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick lavished praise on the outgoing Premier League champions. The bitter North West rivals clash at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon with Liverpool aiming for the victory that would move them above United into third place and in a strong position to secure Champions League qualification. Cunha missed United's narrow 2-1 win over Brentford on Monday evening with a hip injury, but has subsequently returned to training. Luke Shaw limped off against the Londoners but is expected to be available, although centre-back Matthijs de Ligt remains on the sidelines alongside the suspended Lisandro Martinez. FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page And Carrick said on Friday afternoon: "Matheus has done a little bit of work, we are not sure but hopeful. "Matthijs is not involved but other than that we are in good shape." United will seal a Champions League berth with victory and are aiming for a first league double over Liverpool in a decade. They finished 42 points behind Arne Slot's side last season but have enjoyed a better campaign, albeit having been helped by having no European football and being knocked out of the two domestic cup competitions at the first hurdle. Sunday is their 37th game of the season while Liverpool will be playing their 54th. "One of my favourite games, without doubt," said Carrick. "It’s a stand-out game, there are big games and big rivalries we have with other teams but this is right up there. The history, ups and downs, excitement, entertainment and emotion makes it a really special game. "It shows the improvements of the group and getting stronger to be coming into this game in such a good position. We’re fully aware of the situation in the league and how close it is. "It’s a one-off game, they’re a good team, they won the league (last) year. We’re treating it as a one-off game and the league position is what it is." The latest clash is the 218th meeting between the two most successful clubs in English football. And Carrick said: "We get wound up with what's going on week to week but to sustain a level of performance for each football club... there is a way of doing it, what the standards look like, what it means, what are the behaviours and what we stand for as a football club. "Two incredible football clubs who are so close in terms of titles, geographical. To have such an impact over such a period of time it is quite special and we all appreciate that."

2026-05-01

What Ayden Heaven did that Michael Carrick 'loved' in Manchester United win vs Chelsea

Michael Carrick felt Ayden Heaven delivered a show of character after his impressive performance in Manchester United's 1-0 win at Chelsea . The teenage centre-back was pitched into the team for his first start in more than three months and it was part of a makeshift defence and as the only fit senior central defender available to Carrick. With Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro sidelined by injury and Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez suspended, Heaven partnered full-back Noussair Mazraoui in the centre of defence but shook off any rust to deliver an impressive performance. Click here to find out the latest Manchester United news in our daily newsletter "Ayden, credit to him, coming in as a young player for one," said Carrick. "[He's] not played a lot of football recently, played for England Under-20s a couple of weeks ago, but to come into that environment is not something that you can take for granted, you know? "So credit to him. We say the same things to young players all the time, sometimes they look at you as if, like, yeah good one or whatever, but in terms of training every day and looking after yourself and being ready, 'cause you never know when that comes, he probably wouldn't have thought it would come at the moment with how it has gone, but he was there, he was prepared, and he took it in his stride magnificently." Yoro suffered an injury in training late in the week that derailed Carrick's plans for the trip to Chelsea and the head coach revealed he adapted with a series of meetings on Friday to prepare Heaven and Mazraoui for the task ahead. "They were fantastic," he said. "It was more meetings and talks, really, and clips, and a few discussions, and the other side of things, I'm just telling them to go and play, you know, we trust them. "Two fantastic players, and giving them the confidence to just go and commit to it, and understand you could give your best. And then, obviously, a little bit of extra protection, not that they needed it, but as a team, and things that we needed to stop, and stop with a little bit extra kind of, maybe effort, which we try to do that as well. "It was short notice. It was probably through the day yesterday and again, the boys took it on so well and I love when you see players thrive in those moments, when it's sometimes challenging. That's a tough place to come into in a game like that and I thought they took it in their stride so well."

2026-04-19

Man Utd injury news and return dates after Leny Yoro and Kobbie Mainoo updates

Manchester United take on Chelsea on Saturday evening, looking to swiftly recover from their defeat against Leeds United . But Michael Carrick faces crucial selection headaches as his defensive options are stretched by injury and suspension . United's visit to Stamford Bridge represents a significant opportunity to bolster their push for Champions League qualification. The Premier League's third-placed side hold a seven-point advantage over the Blues, who currently occupy sixth place and sit just outside the qualifying spots for Europe's elite competition. Carrick will need to navigate his side through considerable difficulty, however, with both Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire ruled out through suspension. With Matthijs de Ligt still sidelined and Leny Yoro unlikely to be involved, a makeshift centre-back partnership appears inevitable. With that in mind, here is the very latest injury news and expected return dates for United's key players. Matthijs de Ligt continues to be sidelined for United , having last featured back in November. The Dutchman was absent from United's trip to County Kildare during the international break as he pressed ahead with his recovery from a back problem. At that point, he had yet to return to outdoor training. Possible return date: 24/05. Manchester United star Patrick Dorgu isn't quite ready to make his comeback, though he's said to be progressing nicely on his road to recovery. The promising youngster sustained an injury during the Arsenal clash in January. "Patrick is not [ready] no," said Carrick. "He's going well, 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.'" Possible return date: 03/05. French centre-half Leny Yoro appears set to compound Carrick's defensive headaches after failing to be seen amongst the squad heading to Stamford Bridge on Friday. Speaking before the match, Carrick had discussed Yoro and Ayden Heaven's development at the club. "It's not always easy or straightforward, but I think the level they are at right now is a really good stage," he said. "The future is the future, they need to keep progressing and we'll give them the opportunity to do that. They are probably in as good as a place you can be at their age for centre-backs." Possible return date: Unknown The United midfielder sat out Monday's loss to Leeds but has travelled to west London for the Chelsea fixture. Mainoo sustained a minor knock in training and wasn't risked for the club's last match, though he could feature once again. "Kobbie is doing little bits," Carrick said in his press conference. "He's working toward it, he's doing bits, so there's a decision to be made." Possible return date: 18/04. Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

2026-04-18

11 players could miss Chelsea vs Man United as Michael Carrick faces nervous wait

Up to 11 players could miss Manchester United ’s Premier League match against Chelsea through both suspension and injury. United travel to take on Liam Rosenior’s side in Saturday night’s kick-off. It’s a game which could be crucial in deciding who plays Champions League football next season. United currently sit in third place in the table, seven points ahead of Chelsea in sixth position. Both teams will be hoping to bounce back from disappointing results in the Premier League last weekend. United fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Leeds United, while Chelsea lost 3-0 against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE . You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don't miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE. Ahead of the game, both managers have given the latest on their squad, with United boss Michael Carrick facing a nervous wait over the potential availability of two players. Here’s the latest injury news from both changing rooms. Suspension means United will definitely be without two centre-backs, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire. Martinez will serve the first of his three-match ban after being shown a red card for a pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair in the loss against Leeds. Maguire will serve his additional one-game ban after being charged by the FA following his red card against Bournemouth before the international break. The defender was given an additional ban for allegedly acting in an improper manner towards the fourth official. Two other defenders will miss the match through injury. Centre-back Matthijs de Ligt has been out with a back injury since December and is not yet fit to make a return to action. Full-back Patrick Dorgu is getting closer to a return, but Carrick has confirmed that he won’t be ready in time to face Chelsea. “Patrick’s not [ready] no,” he said. “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.” Carrick faces a nervous wait over the fitness of midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. The academy graduate has travelled with the team to London, but remains a doubt for the game. “Kobbie, [is doing] little bits yeah, we're working towards it,” the United interim boss said. “He's done little bits, so there's a decision to be made there.” There is also a worry over centre-back Leny Yoro, who wasn’t spotted with the squad making their way down to London. Should he be unavailable, it will leave United short of central defensive options. Chelsea will be without five players through injury. While long-term absentee Levi Colwill is hoping to be back before the end of the season, the game against United will come too soon for him. Winger Jamie Gittens suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury earlier this month, meaning that he will not be available. He will be joined on the sidelines by club captain Reece James, who has missed the last three games with a hamstring problem. Defender Trevoh Chalobah also missed the last three games. He is stepping up his comeback to training, but will miss the game vs United. Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen is continuing his recovery from minor groin surgery. One player who is expected to return to the squad is midfielder Enzo Fernandez. The player will return from a club-imposed two-game ban after comments made over the international break.

2026-04-18