Just in: Sky Sports – Carrick without ‘difference-maker’ and trusted defender in Wednesday’s pre-Arsenal training

With no midweek European action to account for, Manchester United are putting their full focus on Sunday’s trip to North London.Indeed, the Red Devils are preparing to lock horns with Arsenal at the Emirates in a 4.30pm kick-off, marking Michael Carrick’s second game in charge since taking the reins on an interim basis.If he can orchestrate a performance from his men akin to last weekend’s display, the United faithful will be feeling pretty optimistic about their chances of securing a Champions League spot.Carrick’s early teams news for Arsenal clash (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)Carrick may have to do so with an ever-so-slightly depleted squad, though.When watching on from Carrington this afternoon, Sky Sports noted that neither Matthijs de Ligt nor Joshua Zirkzee were taking part in the training session. 📹🚨| Michael Carrick leading the Manchester United training session today. No Joshua Zirkzee or Matthijs de Ligt [@SkySports] #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Urv78LDYw8 — UtdJoshua (@UtdJoshua03) January 21, 2026The centre-half has been absent since the win over Crystal Palace at the end of November due to a back injury, and while he has been a huge miss, the returns of Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire have allowed De Ligt to take the time he needs to recover and not be rushed back into the fold.De Ligt and Zirkzee still doubts for Sunday (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)As for his compatriot Zirkzee, he missed the Manchester derby triumph through injury but was spotted watching on from the stands alongside De Ligt.Branded a ‘difference-maker’ by Owen Hargreaves on TNT Sports, the forward will be chomping at the bit to prove himself to Carrick and try to play a prominent role for the remainder of the campaign.That being said, Zirkzee is still a firm target for AS Roma even after United’s managerial transition and the Italian club’s signing of Donyell Malen.If he gets the impression that he’s unlikely to have a spot in the XI from now until May, the 24-year-old could well push for a late January departure on loan.