Why Man Utd coaches Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna are missing FC Astana trip

Manchester United coaching duo Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna will not travel with the squad for the 6,000 mile trip to face FC Astana on Thursday.

The Reds have already ensured qualification for the Europa League knockout stages, but a win could mean they top the group in their penultimate game.

And as reported by Manchester Evening News, Carrick and McKenna are staying behind in Manchester in order to work with ‘many’ first-team players.

READ MORE:  FC Astana v Manchester United: Match preview and prediction

With Europa League qualification, already wrapped up, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a clear eye to the future with United facing three crucial fixtures in six days against Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City.

The United manager is prioritising these games and has left his two most senior coaches at home to attempt to rectify mistakes from the 3-3 draw against Sheffield United on Sunday ahead of the game against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Solskjaer will travel with an extremely youthful side to Kazakhstan, and will face an Astana side that has yet to pick up a point in the group stages.

The squad is largely expected to be made up from United’s youth teams, with the focus to give some youngsters first-team experience and rest key senior players.