Ronaldo cites ‘heat of moment’ after left off Manchester United squad
Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick will miss the club’s clash with Premier League leaders Manchester City on Sunday, after being left out of selection for the game against Chelsea.
Carrick, who turns 27 this weekend, appeared to have been left out despite being part of the squad for the Blues’ 2-1 victory in the Manchester Derby.
Reds boss Louis van Gaal said: “Michael is injured. The heat of the moment.
“He will take some time off because he has had a blow on the head. He can’t play this week.”
The midfielder suffered a bruised right temple in the game with Stoke on March 16, before missing the last two games of the season due to illness.
Meanwhile, Van Gaal admitted he will field a team without his three central midfielders.
“You have to be careful with the games, so sometimes you need a couple of players out,” he said.
“But it’s not always fair – the heat of the moment.
“We are fortunate – we have three central defenders who are always available: Phil Jones, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
“So if there is time to drop one, we have a player for every position. But these things are part of the game. It’s just how we have to make it.
“I think the situation is difficult at the moment, but we are trying to take it day by day.”
And Van Gaal, who faced pressure from Chelsea’s owners following a 5-1 loss to United at Stamford Bridge last month, said: “All the fans know what it’s like to come back in the Premier League, and we have to make sure the players who play are happy and healthy.”