A massive blow for United.
Louis van Gaal will have to send is team out, for the remaining three games of the season, without their best midfielder.
Michael Carrick’s season is over due to a calf injury, the Dutchman revealed to MUTV this morning. Wayne Rooney may need to drop back into centre midfield for the remaining games.
With Carrick, United’s win percentage is 72% this season. Without, it is less than 30%.
Van Gaal said, ‘”Carrick is not available, it was more heavy than we thought. We tried everything but now we have to think about next season. He shall not play anymore this season, it’s better now to focus for him on next season and being fit to start.
‘When you see the stats, it’s clear that he’s very important but that’s also because we have only right-sided holding midfielder. That’s what I am saying already in the whole of the season, that our selection is not balanced, and I want to restore that in the next transfer period. The life is not ending at 34, but for a professional football player, it’s close by. That’s why I have to handle again in that position.’
United still require five points from their remaining three league games but have lost their last three outings, without scoring a goal.
Van Gaal to reporters: "The Champions League is a prize in itself. A club like Manchester United must play at the highest podium."
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 8, 2015
The manager can console himself with more positive news for his side’s defence.
‘Jonny Evans and Luke Shaw can play football or the game. Evans doesn’t have the match rhythm because he was injured for six weeks and after that he was suspended for six weeks, and after that he was injured. He needs match rhythm.’
