‘Seems likely’: MEN journo predicts Carrick will be without one Red who’s the ‘best’ in his position vs CFC

Michael Carrick may be forced into deploying a youthful centre-back partnership for Manchester United’s trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.As things stand, he will be without Lisandro Martinez and could very well be without Harry Maguire for an additional game, depending on the outcome of his FA charge.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYWhy Martinez will miss out vs Chelsea this weekendMartinez was shown a straight red card last night for what VAR and referee Paul Tierney deemed violent conduct, after he pulled the hair of Leeds United’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin following a tussle between the pair. Lisandro Martínez has been sent off for violent conduct 🟥 pic.twitter.com/TFGLTZUiTB — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 13, 2026Although reports have suggested United might look to appeal the decision, Carrick will have to plan for Chelsea, Brentford and Liverpool with the expectation that the Argentine won’t be available. Carrick suggests #mufc could appeal Martinez red card: ‘Whatever players are available after this, hopefully Licha is still available,(vs Chelsea). I think certainly that it should be after that. But we’ll see.’ — Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) April 13, 2026It comes as a substantial blow anyway, but even more so considering Martinez had only just returned from a five-match absence through injury to make the squad on Monday evening.Maguire could also be ruled out of matchweek 33As for his counterpart, Maguire, he was also sent off prior to the international break for pulling down Bournemouth frontman Evanilson in the penalty area at the Vitality Stadium.The 33-year-old, whose one-year contract extension was announced last week, was originally only supposed to miss one game, but was later charged by the FA for improper conduct in the aftermath of his dismissal.It means Maguire could be made to miss even more action, leaving only Ayden Heaven (19) and Leny Yoro (20) as the senior centre-halves available to face the Blues.When reacting to United’s dismal defeat to their longtime rivals, Manchester Evening News journalist Steven Railston said on X/Twitter: “This is why it was so important to give Maguire a new contract. “He’s in the winter of his career, but he’s still the best defender in the dressing room. Seems likely he’ll be suspended against Chelsea as well.”