The Michael Carrick era continues this weekend with Manchester United travelling to the Emirates to take on title favourites Arsenal.
It is the toughest game of the season on paper for Manchester United, with the Gunners unbeaten at home this season; however, they are also winless in two.
Michael Carrick will be riding high, following United’s 2-0 Manchester derby win over City last weekend, and he will want three points again this week to strengthen a claim on the top four.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 3 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 22 | 13 | 4 | 5 | 33 | 25 | 8 | 43 |
| 4 |  LiverpoolLiverpool | 22 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 33 | 29 | 4 | 36 |
| 5 |  Manchester UnitedManchester United | 22 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 38 | 32 | 6 | 35 |
| 6 |  ChelseaChelsea | 22 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 36 | 24 | 12 | 34 |
| 7 |  BrentfordBrentford | 22 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 35 | 30 | 5 | 33 |
Carrick will have been working all week on his plan to beat Mikel Arteta alongside Steve Holland, but that plan, unfortunately, still won’t include Matthijs de Ligt.
Michael Carrick is off to the PERFECT START at Man Utd, and he wants more!
Why do you think it went SO RIGHT for Carrick against City?
Matthijs de Ligt finally nearing Manchester United return
This season, De Ligt was arguably United’s best player right up until his injury in November, with the Dutchman not being seen since November 30th against Crystal Palace.
Originally, Ruben Amorim claimed it was a small issue and expected him back at the start of December, but now Carrick has confirmed it won’t be until February at the earliest.
Speaking to the media on Friday in preparation for the Arsenal game, Carrick confirmed that he faces no new injury concerns.
This leaves just De Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee as possible absentees, with Carrick touching on the defender’s injury, explaining why he has missed so long.
“He had a bit of a setback before I arrived, only small, but he was a little bit slower than we had liked. He’s getting closer, and hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, he will be back and around it.”
With Ruben Amorim SACKED, where will Manchester United finish in 2025/26?
Let's see your predictions!
De Ligt’s return could be a catalyst for securing Champions League football
Before his injury, De Ligt had become undroppable for United and the standout player in the team that was struggling.
However, he will return to a very different side, one that is absolutely in the top four race, which he might be vital to winning.
United’s strongest back two would be De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez, and so having both fit at the same time might be what pushes the Red Devils over the line of securing Champions League football.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
