Manchester United will be without Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo for their Champions League meeting with Atletico Madrid after both players suffered injuries in Saturday’s draw against Tottenham.
Michael Carrick confirmed the pair had not travelled to Madrid and would miss Wednesday night’s match, leaving United without two players at a difficult stage of the season.
“They’ve not travelled [to Madrid],” Carrick told reporters at his press conference. “Both picked up issues in the game on Saturday, working through that. Not available for the game tomorrow.”
Manchester United injuries add to Carrick’s problems
The absences come as United prepare for one of two demanding fixtures this week, with Atletico Madrid followed by another difficult assignment. The club’s recent results have increased the pressure surrounding Carrick, making the loss of Shaw and Mainoo particularly unwelcome.
Shaw’s injury also leaves United short of options at left-back. The club had been widely expected to sign another player in that position during the summer, partly to provide cover for the England international, but no such addition was made.
Carrick nevertheless defended United’s transfer business when asked about the squad’s current situation.
“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,” he said.
