Manchester United manager Michael Carrick said he is “massively disappointed” that centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire are suspended for Saturday’s trip to Chelsea after controversial red cards.
Martinez was sent-off for pulling the hair of Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin as Carrick suffered his first home defeat in charge on Monday.
The United boss described that decision as “one of the worst I’ve seen”, with the Argentine now set for a three-game ban for minimal contact on the England striker.
Maguire saw red in a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth on March 20, but was given an extra game ban by the Football Association this week for insulting officials after he was sent off.
“Massively disappointed, of course,” said Carrick at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“I think I’ve had a few reasons to be disappointed in a big way over those type of situations over the last couple of weeks.
“But obviously now we’ve got to move on. The decisions have been made, it’s something that we’re really disappointed with in many ways, but that’s it now.”
Matthijs de Ligt’s prolonged absence due to injury means youngsters Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro are set to start in central defence at Stamford Bridge.
Kobbie Mainoo could return after missing the Leeds game through injury.
United have a seven-point cushion over sixth-placed Chelsea in the battle for a Champions League spot next season.
A place in the top five will be enough to end the Red Devils’ two-season exile from the riches of Europe’s top competition.
Chelsea badly need a win to revitalise their hopes of a top-five finish after three consecutive league defeats.
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