Manchester United are approaching the final stages of the Premier League season and will be hoping to finish in the Champions League spots.
Michael Carrick’s unbeaten run as Manchester United head coach came to an end on Wednesday night as the Reds fell to a 2–1 defeat against a 10-man Newcastle side.
It was a frustrating performance and result, although United remain third in the Premier League and are still widely expected to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
United have won six of their last eight games, including victories over the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City.
Carrick will be hoping that some players return from injury for some crucial upcoming games, with Lisandro Martínez and Patrick Dorgu among those available right now.
When Martínez and Dorgu will return from injury
United have several players out injured right now but Martínez and Dorgu seem to be the most significant as both have shown to be important players in games under Carrick.
Dorgu looked like he was finding his best form before he suffered injury against Arsenal and United have been lacking the running power he offers in recent games.
Initial reports suggested that Dane would be out of action for around eight weeks while Carrick refused to put a timeframe on his return.
United will not want to rush him back into action and the next international break feels like a sensible time for him to return to the squad, with United’s next game after that coming on 13 April.
Martínez, meanwhile, has missed the last three games but Carrick explained that his issue is not as serious.
“Licha, it was a small issue, so he’s getting closer. He won’t be out for very long so we’ll just monitor him over the next day, two, three or four days and see when he can come back, but he’s he’s not far away.”
United are likely being careful with his return but it is possible that the Argentine returns for the next game against Aston Villa.
United’s final nine Premier League games
United have now played 29 fixtures in the Premier League this year and there are just nine games remaining for the Reds.
With just three points separating third from sixth right now, the upcoming games will be crucial if United want to finish in the Champions League positions.
Up next is a home clash against Aston Villa, and United then travel to Bournemouth on 20 March. The next game is a derby match with Leeds at Old Trafford.
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Carrick’s side then have another big game at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea before hosting Brentford and Liverpool in the next two matches.
The final three games of the season see United travel to face Sunderland away, then they will host Nottingham Forest, and then face Brighton at the Amex Stadium on the final day.
There is still a lot to fight for and Carrick’s side will be determined to get some positive results under their belts in the coming weeks.
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