Manchester United have travelled to Villarreal without Luke Shaw and Mason Greenwood as Michael Carrick prepares to oversee his first game.
The Champions League contest in Spain represents Carrick's first match in temporary charge of United. The former midfielder has been made caretaker boss after the club sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday, following the weekend's 4-1 defeat at Watford.
And a confidence-drained United squad will be without injured pair Shaw and Greenwood for the game, with Phil Jones and Lee Grant among those who have travelled to Spain — although they aren't named in United's official Champions League squad so cannot play.
Shaw has been suffering with concussion of late and isn't risked, while Greenwood has returned a positive covid-19 test. Paul Pogba and Raphael Varane, United's long-term injury absentees, remain sidelined as well. Edinson Cavani wasn't spotted by MEN photographers but could be travelling separately.
United can seal a spot in the Champions League knockout stages with victory at Estadio de la Cerámica. They were indebted to a late Cristiano Ronaldo strike in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in September, United winning 2-1 with Alex Telles also on the scoresheet.
All eyes will be on whether United's players can rouse themselves after a number of poor performances of late, not least at Watford in the game that ultimately cost Solskjaer his job.
Carrick paid tribute to Solskjaer — who a day earlier had given an emotional 'farewell' interview — before turning his squad's focus to the Villarreal game.
"We could sit and talk through all sorts of different things, for me it’s not to be looking back. I know in my own mind what I could have done better and what could be improved," said Carrick.
"I think it’s important that everyone looks at themselves, it’s easy to look elsewhere. As a player I was the same, look at yourself and see if you can improve and what’s next. What’s next is a flight to Spain and prepare for the team for tomorrow."
Confirmed travelling United players:
David de Gea, Dean Henderson, Tom Heaton, Lee Grant*, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones*, Diogo Dalot, Alex Telles, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Donny van de Beek, Jesse Lingard, Amad, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Martial.
*Jones and Grant aren't in United's Champions League squad so can't play in the game.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this s eason.
.jpg?w=600)
