After Luke Shaw was withdrawn with an injury setback in the first half, Harry Maguire might’ve also sustained a problem in the closing stages of this afternoon’s win.
Manchester United claimed their sixth victory under Michael Carrick today by overturning Crystal Palace 2-1 at Old Trafford.
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United move up to third after Palace turnaround
The visitors took an early lead through Maxence Lacroix in just the fourth minute, but his effort was cancelled out in the second half when he was sent off, and both Bruno Fernandes and Benjamin Sesko found the back of Dean Henderson’s net.
Shaw, who’s started every Premier League game this campaign, was only able to last 25 minutes of the clash before he was assessed by the medical staff and replaced by Noussair Mazraoui.
Meanwhile, Maguire was hooked with five minutes left to play, with teenager Ayden Heaven taking his place alongside fellow youngster Leny Yoro.
While fans might have first suspected that Carrick was granting the defender a rest after his 85-minute shift, Samuel Luckhurst’s latest post would suggest otherwise.
He said on X/Twitter: “Maguire going down the tunnel after speaking with MUFC medical staff.”
Why Carrick will be sweating over Maguire’s fitness
Maguire potentially being injured would come as a major blow for the manager, given that both Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez are currently sidelined.
It’s also a short turnaround until the Reds are back in action; they travel to face Newcastle United on Wednesday evening at St. James’ Park, and will want at least one senior centre-half, like Maguire or Martinez, available to lock horns with such a physical side like the Magpies.
Going to such a tricky stadium with only Yoro, 20, and Heaven, 19, available to start might be an area of concern for Carrick, as it’s undoubtedly something Newcastle would look to exploit and capitalise on.
| Player | Appearances | Starts | Minutes played |
| Yoro | 46 | 26 | 2,509 |
| Heaven | 17 | 10 | 816 |
*Yoro and Heaven’s records in the Premier League with United (Transfermarkt)
As much as I love Deligt and Lisandro, fact last 2 seasons both have hardly been available with different injuries, I do think a top team cannot afford to have players like these two and Mount taking up valuable resources, however good they are.
Trust Luckhurst to get it wrong must be working for that comic the Sun both Shaw and Maguire were said to be feeling unwell with Shaw being the only one carrying and injury having had his foot trodden on