Just in: Why Carrick had to omit star who’s ‘amazing every time he plays’ in lead-up to Bournemouth clash

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Stretty News

·20 marzo 2026

Just in: Why Carrick had to omit star who’s ‘amazing every time he plays’ in lead-up to Bournemouth clash

Manchester United and Bournemouth are undergoing their final preparations before kicking off their Friday night action at 8pm.

Michael Carrick has named an unchanged starting XI from the 3-1 win over Aston Villa last Sunday, with the only change being one on the bench.

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Noussair Mazraoui the only change for United vs Bournemouth

Noussair Mazraoui has dropped out in place of youngster Tyler Fredricson due to an illness he has been suffering with throughout the week.

#AFCB Alejandro Jiménez and Armine Adli come in for the Cherries… Junior Kroupi and Adam Smith drop to the bench. #MUFC Unchanged. Which means Sesko must settle for a place on the bench despite his goal against Villa. No Mazraoui, who was ill earlier in the week.
– venerdì 20 marzo 2026

The full-back, hailed by Owen Hargreaves for being ‘amazing every time he plays’, has endured a stop-start campaign due to injuries, as well as the month of club action he was unavailable for when partaking in the African Cup of Nations.

His absences haven’t proven too detrimental, thanks to Diogo Dalot always being available.

However, it would’ve been more of a prominent issue had United been navigating European and cup football alongside the Premier League, which is something that the coaches will have to keep in mind ahead of next season.

On the opposite side of the backline, Luke Shaw has, to everybody’s surprise, enjoyed almost an entire term of staying fit.

Shaw enjoying an extended run of fitness

He has, remarkably, been able to start every single league fixture, playing a crucial role at the back – particularly since Carrick took the reins.

Shaw’s efforts haven’t been considered enough to work his way back into the England squad, though.

Despite both Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire being recalled to the setup for the first time under Thomas Tuchel, there was no place for Shaw, who would have been desperate to add to his 34 caps in the lead-up to the World Cup.