Michael Carrick first suffered a calf muscle strain after Manchester United’s FA Cup match with Cambridge United on 12th January and it has been a problem for him ever since.
He returned to the bench against Sunderland on 28th February, but re-injured his calf during a match with Manchester City on 12th April.
Manchester United boss, Louis van Gaal confirmed on 8th May that he would be out the for season. He said, “Carrick is not available, it was more heavy than we thought. 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.”
Manchester United’s Barclay’s Premier League WDL record when Carrick is playing is 13-3-2 (72.2%) and 7-5-6 (38.9%) without him. This win record is only marginally surpassed by 19-year-old striker James Wilson (75% with, 45.8% without) having played five fewer games than Carrick.
Since returning in February, the United midfielder played a part in the Red Devils’ six-match win streak (Sunderland, Newcastle United, Tottenham, Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Manchester City). Despite beating Crystal Palace this past Saturday, United went on to lose three in a row (Chelsea, Everton, West Bromwich Albion) after Carrick returned to the treatment room.
Arsenal go to Old Trafford on the 17th May for their third showdown with United this year. This would be the second meeting at the Theatre of Dreams this season, after beating United in the FA Cup there on 9th March – for the first time since 17th September, 2006.
It should be noted that Carrick appeared in that match having been subbed for Ander Herrera in the second half. That wasn’t enough to stop Danny Welbeck from breaking the 1-1 deadlock, knocking United out of the FA Cup.
The Gunners will be looking to win this match against United to help in their quest to finish above them once again and seal second place for the first time in ten years.