Manchester United: How the Reds Will Adjust to Injuries to Carrick and Blind

It seems that Louis Van Gaal just cannot catch a break at Manchester United.

After earning a crucial win vs. Crystal Palace with a makeshift defense, United's squad suffered two more blows with the injuries of Michael Carrick and Daley Blind during the international break.

Though Carrick will likely miss no more than Saturday's clash, Blind's season could be over, as Netherlands boss Guus Hiddink hinted after the match, via BBC Sport:

"

I'm rather negative. I think it's a medial ligament that is twisted. It might be a rupture.

"

With the possible absence of Carrick this weekend, Van Gaal has some tinkering to do. 

Ander Herrera should get the call back to the XI for a comedy of reasons.

Firstly, he has actually had a decent season (when played, of course) for a player who has been an unused substitute in the past three matches, with two goals and one assist in only five starts. Secondly, he has the potential to spark the United attack with his dynamism and direct play. While he might not be as defensively sound as Blind, he is extremely unlikely to be accused of being a sideways passer like the Dutchman has been recently.

Fair or not, Herrera has been the sacrificial lamb for Van Gaal's transition to a more defensive setup, and with more defensive/defensive midfield injuries piled on, his caution is improbable to end any time soon.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Rather, if Van Gaal wants a player with similar positional, passing, and defensive play of Carrick, he could very well turn to Darren Fletcher. Since he was named the vice-captain of the club during the summer tour, Fletcher has been largely phased out of the rotation in favor of Blind, Herrera, and more recently Marouane Fellaini. Though Fletcher isn't the most glamorous or in-style player at the moment, he has bags of experience and could put in a useful shift controlling the midfield against Arsenal.

Aside from replacing Carrick, Blind's injury has left a hole in the lineup as well, and he may not be back to fill it for months to come.

Luckily, it seems as with the departure of makeshift center-back Blind, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans will be returning on Saturday, per physioroom.com.

With Paddy McNair showcasing exemplary form as of late, he is unlikely to be ousted from the XI, with only one of Jones or Evans filling in. However, another option is allowing Jones and Evans to return to the center of defense, while allowing McNair to fill the void left by Michael Carrick in midfield. His composure and aplomb on the ball have prompted commentators to frequently reference his center-midfield past, and he is still listed on Goal as such.

As Blind seems due to miss months of action, McNair will have to continue his impressive play, with Jones and Evans battling through injury to help out in the back, and Carrick and Marcos Rojo presumably rotating in there as well whenever they become healthy.

The unfortunate injuries to Carrick and Blind look to ensure a defensive, cagey affair vs. The Gunners this weekend, with the eventual ousting of a cautious setup only coming when all of their first-choice defensive options are fit.

Stats and info via ESPNFC.