Predicted Man United XI vs Chelsea as Carrick faces crisis in defence

In partnership with

The Peoples Person

·17 aprile 2026

Predicted Man United XI vs Chelsea as Carrick faces crisis in defence

Michael Carrick is facing his toughest challenge yet since taking charge of Manchester United after a bombshell update emerged from Carrington today. As the Red Devils prepare for a crunch clash with Chelsea in the hunt for Champions League football, the interim coach will be without his four most senior centre-backs after a bizarre confluence of misfortune.

Matthijs de Ligt continues to be ruled out with a long-term back injury, while Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are both unavailable through suspension after the Football Association angered United by refusing to accept appeals for either player. This led to the uncomfortable situation of Carrick being forced to deploy the inexperienced partnership of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven at the heart of central defence for a season-defining match at Stamford Bridge.

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However, things have gone from bad to worse as Yoro has now suffered what is feared to be a season-ending injury and will not travel to West London, leaving the 19-year-old Heaven as the sole centre-back in the first-team squad.

Elsewhere on the pitch, Carrick is also sweating on the fitness of Kobbie Mainoo after the 20-year-old midfielder missed Monday night’s defeat to Leeds United, a match which exposed the fragility of the Red Devils’ engine room. At the pre-match press conference, the boss sounded quietly confident that Mainoo would make it alongside Casemiro in midfield, saying, “we’re working towards it. He’s done a little bit [of training].”

On a more positive note, the forward line is fully fit and each attacker is chomping at the bit to get the nod in the front three, with the ever-present Bruno Fernandes stationed as creator-in-chief behind him.

This is The Peoples Person’s predicted XI for how Carrick traverses a fixture that will undoubtedly have long-term ramifications for his position at Old Trafford.

Goalkeeper and Defence

Perhaps the easiest pick of the bunch alongside Fernandes, Senne Lammens will continue his undisputed reign as the team’s No.1 in between the sticks. But that is where the simplicity ends for Carrick.

Luke Shaw is the best-equipped candidate to fill in at centre-back, having previously played – and thrived – in the position under Erik ten Hag. One particularly memorable performance came in the Manchester Derby where the 30-year-old Englishman completely locked down Erling Haaland alongside Raphael Varane.

But it will not be a Champions League-winning French international Shaw is allied with; it will be an inexperienced youngster yet to start a match under Carrick. The pressure will be on the former Southampton star to step up and be counted on Saturday night, though Heaven will need to play on his weaker foot to accommodate his new partner.

Shaw’s inversion into centre-back will create a need for a replacement at left-back. Tyrell Malacia‘s awful cameo at St James’ Park in the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle guarantees the Dutchman will not be selected, while Patrick Dorgu is still rehabilitating from a hamstring injury.

Instead, Diogo Dalot is likely to flip sides and play in the unfamiliar role, while Noussair Mazraoui retains his place on the right after starting there against Leeds. Both right-backs have played on the left-hand side before, but the Portugal international has looked more comfortable there than his Moroccan teammate.

Midfield

The makeshift defence will put added pressure on the midfield, in particular Casemiro, to provide a compact wall of protection. The dismal performance of Manuel Ugarte against Daniel Farke’s side heightens the need for Mainoo to be judged fit enough to start alongside the Brazilian, with Fernandes playing as the No.10 ahead of them.

Attack

The area of the pitch with the most depth and versatility. The left wing will continue to be Matheus Cunha‘s spot, but a choice will need to come up top after Benjamin Sesko struggled to get into the game against Leeds, while Bryan Mbeumo looked lively from the bench.

The Cameroonian was deployed as a false nine to great effect in the wins over Manchester City and Arsenal, with The Peoples Person predicting Carrick will revert to this set-up. This will allow Amad to maintain his berth on the right, offering a front three with speed and skill in abundance, capable of interchanging and wreaking havoc on a fragile Chelsea backline.

There is an argument, however, that Sesko’s height may play an important role at the other end of the pitch, but the Blues are not a particularly imposing side in the air.

Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee can provide different profiles from the bench, while youngster Shea Lacey is a part of the travelling squad to London and can offer a burst of energy if needed.