Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has confirmed that Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo will miss the Champions League meeting with Atletico Madrid after both players picked up injuries in Saturday’s draw against Tottenham.
Carrick delivered the news at this afternoon’s press conference, revealing that neither player had travelled to Madrid. United face Atletico tomorrow night in a match that already carries considerable importance for the manager.
“They’ve not travelled [to Madrid],” Carrick said. “Both picked up issues in the game on Saturday, working through that. Not available for the game tomorrow.”
Shaw and Mainoo are therefore ruled out of the Champions League clash, leaving United without two members of the squad as they prepare for a difficult away fixture.
The setbacks arrive during a testing period for United. Results have been bad and are piling up, and Carrick is under serious scrutiny as his team prepares for two demanding games this week, starting with Atletico Madrid.
Carrick has spoken about needing every player at their best, and the absences of Shaw and Mainoo are a significant blow. The situation also raises questions about the club’s summer recruitment: United had been widely expected to sign another left back to help the injury prone Shaw, but no such move was made.
With Shaw unavailable, United are short at left back for a high stakes Champions League game.
Carrick, though, defended the club’s summer business when he faced questions on the subject.
“There’s a process to the transfer window, and all of a sudden it can look different. We can look strong and a week later it looks different and questions are asked, I get that.”
His comments represented a defence of those above him, even as he deals with the consequences of a squad that lacks cover in that area.
United will now attempt to win in Madrid without Shaw and Mainoo, and Carrick must rely on the players who made the trip.
United will have to find a response in Madrid without two injured players, while Carrick continues to answer questions about his squad and the summer transfer window.
