Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick sidelined for four weeks due to injury

Michael Carrick has been ruled out for four weeks due to injury

Manchester United player Michael Carrick has picked up an injury and is scheduled to miss as many as seven games. The influential midfielder has reportedly suffered a ruptured muscle.

The Red Devils’ manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed that the English international will be sidelined for a minimum of four weeks. This adds to the extended list of injuries suffered by United’s players this season.

The 33-year-old, who has played 14 games so far this season, is likely to sit out against Leicester City, the FA Cup replay against Cambridge United, the away game at West Ham, the home game against Burnley, a fifth round FA Cup game (depending on qualification) and also fixtures against Sunderland and Swansea.

Carrick’s injury may affect the future of Darren Fletcher at United, who had initially been allowed to move to West Ham on a free transfer in the current transfer window. Sam Allardyce, however, believes that the Scottish international’s transfer to the Hammers is not on hold, despite the transfer window closing on Monday.

Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera are back to fitness and can replace the injured Carrick. Also, Dutch international Daley Blind is a readymade replacement for Carrick in the central midfield position, as he had done earlier in the season when Carrick had been ruled out due to injury.

Louis van Gaal tells #MUTV that Michael Carrick will miss around 4 weeks with a muscle rupture but Ashley Young is closer to full fitness.

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 30, 2015