So, Michael Carrick is back in the hot seat. Again. But as he prepares for a brutal Manchester derby at Old Trafford this Saturday, he isn't just fighting Pep Guardiola’s tactical genius. He’s fighting a training room that feels like it’s been under a curse for three seasons straight.
Honestly, if you're a United fan, looking at the Manchester United injury list has become a grim weekly ritual, sort of like checking your bank balance after a holiday. You know it's going to be bad, you just don't know how bad.
The Matthijs de Ligt situation is getting weird
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: Matthijs de Ligt. He hasn’t kicked a ball since the win over Crystal Palace back in November. At first, Ruben Amorim (remember him?) told everyone it was just a "small thing." A minor back issue.
Fast forward nine matches, and he’s still not there.
Carrick sat down for his first press conference as interim boss on Friday and basically admitted the recovery has been "slower than what they thought." That's medical-speak for "we aren't quite sure why he isn't back yet." He’s doing individual work on the grass, but he isn't ready for City. This leaves United's backline looking a bit thin, especially with the tactical shift away from Amorim’s three-at-the-back experiment.
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Who else is missing for the Derby?
It’s not just the treatment table thinning out the squad. International duty and disciplinary issues are playing their part too.
- Noussair Mazraoui: He’s currently in Morocco helping the national team prepare for an AFCON final against Senegal this Sunday. Great for him, terrible for United's right-back depth.
- Shea Lacey: The kid was the one bright spark in the FA Cup loss to Brighton, but he’s suspended after a silly second yellow.
- The Long-Termers: Tyrell Malacia is technically "back" in terms of fitness, but he hasn’t been trusted with serious minutes yet. Leny Yoro is finally available after that nightmare foot surgery in the summer, though Carrick will likely be terrified of overusing him too soon.
The "Good" news (if you can call it that)
There is some light at the end of the tunnel. Harry Maguire actually made a cameo against Brighton. He’s expected to start alongside Lisandro Martinez this weekend because, frankly, who else is there?
Then you've got the AFCON returns. Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo are back at Carrington after Ivory Coast and Cameroon were knocked out earlier than expected. Mbeumo, in particular, is a massive boost. United have looked toothless lately, and having a guy who can actually find the back of the net from the right wing is basically a luxury at this point.
The Kobbie Mainoo enigma
Can we talk about Kobbie Mainoo for a second? The kid was the crown jewel of the English midfield six months ago. Under Amorim, he barely got a look-in. Part of that was a nagging calf injury, and part of it was just... tactical?
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Mainoo only recently returned to the fold, getting a start in the FA Cup. He looked rusty. Wayne Rooney even went on his podcast this week and said he was "disappointed" with Mainoo's form. It feels harsh, but that's the reality of Old Trafford. Carrick, a man who knows a thing or two about playing midfield for United, has a huge job on his hands to get Mainoo back to his best. If the Manchester United injury list stays clear of his name for the rest of the winter, he might actually get the run of games he needs.
Why does this keep happening?
The medical department at Carrington has been a revolving door. Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad was brought in from Crystal Palace to head up medical services, replacing Gary O’Driscoll. You’ve got Sam Erith (formerly of Man City) trying to overhaul the performance side of things.
Yet, the injuries persist.
Is it the training intensity? Is it the recruitment of "injury-prone" players? Or is it just bad luck? Luke Shaw, for example, is actually fit right now—which feels like a miracle in itself—but his history suggests we’re always about three weeks away from a "muscle tweak."
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Looking ahead: The January schedule
United’s season is basically down to one goal: European qualification. With the FA Cup exit still stinging, Carrick has to navigate a league schedule that includes City and then a trip to Arsenal.
What you need to know for the next 48 hours:
- Matthijs de Ligt is definitely OUT for the derby.
- Harry Maguire is likely to partner Martinez in a 4-2-3-1.
- Bryan Mbeumo should go straight back into the starting XI.
- Noussair Mazraoui won't be back until the Arsenal game on January 25th at the earliest.
If you're looking for a silver lining, it's that the squad is almost at full strength for the first time in what feels like decades. Carrick has options, especially in attack with Sesko and Zirkzee both available. But against a City team that smells blood, "almost fit" might not be enough.
Keep an eye on the late fitness tests tomorrow morning. At United, a "minor knock" in training usually means a month on the sidelines.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the official team sheet exactly 60 minutes before the 12:30 GMT kick-off to see if Leny Yoro is risked in a back four.
- Monitor the fitness of Mason Mount; he’s been training but remains a "discomfort" risk after his recent muscle issues.
- Watch the bench—with Amad and Diallo back, United finally have game-changers who aren't teenagers or out-of-position wingers.