Up to 13 players could be sidelined for Manchester United's match against Chelsea this weekend, with both sides set to be missing key personnel through injury. Michael Carrick is acutely aware that anything short of all three points could spell the end of his time at the helm, having secured just two victories across all competitions this season.
It represents the worst start to a campaign in the club's storied history, and United are believed to have a shortlist of potential successors already drawn up. Carrick will be without six players for the trip to the capital, with Benjamin Šeško among the absentees.
Šeško suffered a major blow this week as Carrick confirmed the striker is facing an extended stint on the treatment table. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, via the Manchester Evening News , Carrick expressed his concern for the forward: "Yeah, unfortunately Ben looks like he's going to be out for a period of time. We're still not clear of exactly how long, but it's going to be for a longer period of time.
-Credit:Ash Donelon, Manchester United via Getty Images
"It was the process, as I said to you before, we had to go through the process, a bit of a healing process for the injury to see how it would react and what direction to go with that. Even now we're still working through it.
"But it's unfortunate, obviously first and foremost, for Ben, for the kind of period that he's had, and tried to get through it and going through this again. And for us to not have him available is obviously a blow, but we'll try and get back, get him back as quick as we can."
In positive news, Kobbie Mainoo could be available for selection this weekend, though Carrick acknowledged the England international had only completed limited training this week.
The fixture appears likely to come too soon for Marcus Rashford, while Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte are also anticipated to miss the matchup against the Blues.
Turning to Chelsea, Xabi Alonso's squad is grappling with a mounting injury crisis, yet received a welcome boost ahead of the encounter.
To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE
The Blues manager confirmed that Pep Chavarría and Moisés Caicedo would be available to feature, as would Cole Palmer following the completion of his suspension.
Despite this, Chelsea could still be without as many as seven key players, with Maxence Lacroix suffering a fresh injury setback this week.
The Blues defender appeared to sustain a hamstring injury during Tuesday's Carabao Cup fourth-round game against Liverpool.
In the dying moments of the first half, he pulled up sharply, clutching the back of his left thigh. Alonso said: "Max picked up an injury and we expect he is not going to be ready before the international break. He will be a few weeks out."
When questioned on whether Emiliano Martínez, currently recovering from surgery on a fractured jaw, could return between the posts before the upcoming international break, the Blues boss said: "There's a chance.
• Mikel Arteta defends on fiery reaction to Max Dowman red card - 'We are not in Disneyland'
• Roberto De Zerbi provides James Maddison boost after Chelsea injury scare
"We still need to wait until next week, but there's a chance," Alonso added. "In case he's ready to play, he will probably need a face mask."
When asked about Jorrel Hato and Chavarría, both of whom were absent from the matchday squad on Tuesday, the Spanish manager said: "Jorrel, no, but Pep Chavarría, yes."
Chelsea could also be without Reece James, João Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Malo Gusto heading into the weekend fixture.
