Manchester United have travelled to London with just one fit first-team centre-back after Leny Yoro suffered a potentially season-ending injury. The French defender was expected to start alongside Ayden Heaven at the heart of the defence but did not board the train from Stockport Station with his teammates on Friday.
The Red Devils face Chelsea on Saturday in a match with huge implications for European qualification. Manager Michael Carrick must now prepare with four of his five senior centre-backs missing through injury or suspension. Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire are both serving red card suspensions, while Matthijs de Ligt has been sidelined since November with a lower back injury.
That leaves 19-year-old Ayden Heaven, who has made just 14 appearances this season, as the only fit recognised centre-back. Heaven faces a tough test against Chelsea's physical frontline, which includes Joao Pedro and Pedro Neto. Carrick praised the youngster's recent form, saying: 'He's training really well, learning and it's pretty natural for a centre-half of his age. He's probably well ahead of schedule.'
It remains to be seen who Carrick will deploy as a makeshift centre-back alongside Heaven. Midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who dropped into defence after Martinez's red card against Leeds, is the leading candidate. Experienced midfielder Casemiro could also be called upon to fill the defensive void.
