Man Utd's defensive crisis: Carrick's likely option for crunch Chelsea clash

Michael Carrick is facing a massive managerial test against Chelsea and here is his likely option amid a defensive crisis.

He has managed plenty of challenges since taking charge in January but none more so than at Stamford Bridge with three centre-halves missing.

Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are suspended, while Matthijs de Ligt is injured along with Leny Yoro who picked up a knock in training.

For most of the week the question has been asked how United would fare with two young defenders in Yoro and Ayden Heaven but now Carrick is going to have to improvise with the former missing as well.

This is the almost guaranteed choice for Carrick where a player comes in alongside Heaven. The 19-year-old has been excellent this season and Carrick has spoken warmly about his development — but asking him to be the senior figure in a makeshift central defensive partnership at Stamford Bridge is a big ask.

The question is who partners him. Luke Shaw has played as a centre-back before, most notably for England. Noussair Mazraoui has operated there in emergencies. Either could be asked to fill in alongside Heaven in a conventional back four, with Dalot at right back and Shaw — if not used centrally — at left back.

Carrick could take the bold decision to revert to a three-man defence — not Amorim's version that caused such problems earlier in the season but a more conventional 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 shape that gives him an extra body in central defence without sacrificing the midfield.

Heaven, Shaw and Mazraoui as a back three is unorthodox but it would allow Dalot and Malacia — or even Amad — to operate as wing-backs providing width. This gives Heaven extra protection and makes it harder for Chelsea to isolate United's inexperienced defenders in one-on-one situations.

Whatever system Carrick chooses, Kobbie Mainoo's availability changes everything. With Mainoo alongside Casemiro, the midfield screen in front of the defence is significantly stronger — he reads the game brilliantly, breaks up attacks early and takes pressure off the centre-backs. Without him, Ugarte or a makeshift alternative leaves Heaven critically exposed.

Carrick said the decision would go to the wire — "he's done little bits, so there is a decision to be made there." Given the defensive situation, it would be extraordinary if Mainoo was not given every possible chance to be declared fit.

United's defensive crisis would be more alarming if Chelsea were in form. They are not. Liam Rosenior's side have lost their last three Premier League matches without scoring a single goal. They have conceded first in eight of their last nine league games. Enzo Fernandez returns from suspension which helps them, but this is a Chelsea side badly lacking in confidence.

United have scored in their last 20 consecutive away league games. Chelsea's backline — featuring the inexperienced Jorrel Hato and a returning Trevoh Chalobah — is far from impenetrable. The match is not as one-sided as the defensive injury list might suggest.