Ayden Heaven: Carrick will use Man United star to overcome Chelsea

Ayden Heaven: Carrick will use Man United star to overcome Chelsea

Manchester United interim coach Michael Carrick will turn to Ayden Heaven to solve the team’s defensive crisis ahead of the crunch clash with Chelsea this weekend.

Chaos in defence

The Red Devils travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening without their three most experienced centre-backs.

Both Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire are unavailable through suspension, while Matthijs de Ligt continues to be ruled out with a long-term back injury.

This situation has created a major concern for Carrick ahead of a pivotal match in the race for Champions League qualification next season.

United are currently third in the table, seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea, while both teams possess the same goal difference (12).

England’s European coefficient ranking means the Premier League has been awarded an additional Champions League spot, turning the traditional ‘top four race’ into a hunt for the top five.

If United emerge victorious from west London on Saturday, they will have a ten-point cushion heading into the business end of the campaign. A loss will cut the lead over Chelsea to four, underlining just how vital a match this is for the Red Devils.

An inexperienced pairing

In response to the absent trio in central defence, Carrick will turn to Ayden Heaven to solve the crisis, despite the English starlet not having started under the caretaker before.