Michael Carrick will be sidelined from the final three matches of the season with a calf problem, manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed.
The English midfielder suffered the injury during the 4-2 win over Manchester City last month.
“We tried everything but now we have to think about next season,” Van Gaal told MUTV. “He shall not play anymore this season, it’s better now to focus for him on next season and being fit to start.”
The United vice-captain missed the Red Devils’ last three defeats against Chelsea, Everton and West Brom, having featured in their previous run of six matches without defeat.
Van Gaal, 63, added: “When you see the stats, it’s clear that he’s very important but that’s also because we have only one right-sided holding midfielder.
“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.”
Fans of the Old Trafford club will be delighted about the news that full-back Luke Shaw is available after injury, while centre-back Jonny Evans is also back from a six-game suspension.
Marcos Rojo is nearing full fitness and James Wilson could be included in the match day squad after recovering from illness.
“Evans and Shaw can play football or the game, the Dutch boss continued. “Evans doesn’t have the match rhythm as he was injured for six weeks and after that he was suspended for six weeks, and after that he was injured. He needs match rhythm.”
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