Injury-hit Manchester United face Como in Champions League with only two senior centre-backs available

Manchester United head to the Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium to face Como in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, with manager Michael Carrick navigating one of the most challenging team selections of his tenure due to a mounting injury and suspension crisis.

United arrive in Italy having won just two of their 10 games across all competitions this season. Their most recent outing, a 1-1 Premier League draw with Leeds at Elland Road last weekend, extended their winless run to six matches and has intensified scrutiny on Carrick.

The defensive situation is particularly acute. Lisandro Martinez has not recovered from the knock he sustained against Leeds, while Leny Yoro serves a suspension following his red card against Atletico Madrid last week. That leaves Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt as the only two senior centre-backs available for the trip.

Ayden Heaven also misses out after failing to shake off the illness that kept him out at Elland Road. Further up the pitch, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw are sidelined, with Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Sesko both facing longer-term absences.

Carrick was asked ahead of the game whether he had regrets about not signing a left-back during the transfer window, given that both Shaw and Dorgu are now injured. “Listen, I think when we have injuries, you can always look at what could have been done and what we could have improved,” he said. “I spoke to you about making the best of the window and the situation we had. Pat is injured and it’s just the way it goes sometimes.”

Despite the disruption, Carrick’s available options still include Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo — described by club writers as arguably the team’s most reliable source of goals at present — alongside Carlos Baleba, Manuel Ugarte Santos and Youri Tielemans in midfield.

With de Ligt set to make his first appearance since suffering a back injury against Crystal Palace on 30 November last year, United’s coaching staff will hope the Dutchman can slot back in alongside Maguire and provide the defensive platform the side desperately needs on the road in Europe.