- Manchester United face Chelsea
- Reds’ U18s reach FA Youth Cup final
- Leny Yoro could miss rest of season
Manchester United are in action tonight when they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and there are plenty of hot topics taking hold before the game. Not least, Michael Carrick is being handed a massive setback regarding his defensive options.
The FA decided to uphold Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez’s suspensions which means both are unavailable. Martinez will serve the first of a three-match ban for his red card in the 2-1 loss to Leeds United on Monday.
There is some positive news for the club as the youth side were in action on Friday night. JJ Gabriel once again caught the eye to help the Reds win their FA Youth Cup semi-final.
A Stamford Bridge Showdown
Manchester United will be looking to put their Leeds defeat behind them when they face Chelsea tonight. Both sides are enduring dissapointing form with the Blues losing their last three league games.
Carrick needs a response from his Reds who remain third in the Premier League and seven points above Liam Rosenior’s men who are sixth. But he will be without his two most important central defenders in Maguire and Martinez.
Kobbie Mainoo has made the squad which is a massive boost given he was glaringly missed against Leeds. He is in contention to come back into midfield at Stamford Bridge.
Man United Reach Youth Final
While United’s senior team were beaten on Monday, that wasn’t the case for Darren Fletcher’s U18’s on Friday night. His side beat Crystal Palace 2-1 and booked their place in the FA Youth Cup final.
JJ Gabriel opened the scoring with a fine finish in the 77th minute before Raihaan Anderson equalised for the visitors. But Chido Obi fired home the winner in the 117th minute.
It means United will face Manchester City, their rivals, in the final on May 9th. There are several youngsters who are undoubtedly knocking at the first-team door.
Yoro Concerns
Carrick isn’t only without Maguire and Martinez tonight but also Leny Yoro who suffered an injury in training. The French defender has been a starter over the past month due to Martinez’s calf problem which he returned from in the Leeds game.
Yoro’s absence means it’s likely Ayden Heaven will partner Luke Shaw in central defence. But it’s not just the Chelsea game that the Frenchman might sit out.
Reports suggest there are concerns that the former Lille youngster’s season is over. There’s been no official confirmation from the club but it’s a really worrying situation given Matthijs de Ligt is still sidelined.
