Michael Carrick Injury: Updates on Manchester United Star's Status and Return

Manchester United had to finish the Manchester derby with just 10 men after Michael Carrick was forced to withdraw late on, and the veteran midfielder is now expected to miss the rest of the season. 

Continue for updates.

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Carrick Not Expected to Return This Season

Friday, May 8

Mark Froggatt of Manchester United's team page reported that Carrick isn't likely to return this season, per Louis van Gaal:

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"Carrick is not available, it was more heavy than we thought," van Gaal told MUTV. "We tried everything but now we have to think about next season. He shall not play anymore this season, it's better now to focus for him on next season and being fit to start.

"When you see the stats, it's clear that he's very important but that's also because we have only right-sided holding midfielder. That's what I am saying already in the whole of the season, that our selection is not balanced, and I want to restore that in the next transfer period. The life is not ending at 34, but for a professional football player, it's close by. That's why I have to handle again in that position."

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On April 12, Carrick suffered an injury vs. Manchester City:

Not long after the England midfielder made his way down the tunnel, Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero capitalised on the one-man advantage to score his second of the game before the derby ended 4-2 in United's favour.

Losing Carrick for the season certainly isn't encouraging news for Van Gaal at this point in the Premier League season.