Carrick’s case for the defence

MICHAEL Carrick is happy to solve Manchester United’s injury crisis by playing at centre–back in the coming weeks.

Carrick made his first appearance of the season on Sunday when he came off the bench to replace injured centre–back Marcos Rojo in United’s 1–0 defeat by Manchester City.

United expect Rojo, who dislocated his left shoulder sliding in for a tackle, to be out for up to three months, which is a blow to Louis van Gaal who is already short of options at centre–half.

The United manager is set to be without Phil Jones for some time as the England centre–back is suffering from shin splints, his second injury of the season.

Jonny Evans has not played for over six weeks because of an ankle injury while Chris Smalling is serving a one–match ban.

Carrick has played at centre–back on occasions throughout his career and he would have no problem starting there in Saturday’s game against Crystal Palace.

“If I need to play there then fine I have not had a lot of football recently so I will play anywhere,” said Carrick. I don’t mind. I’ll play anywhere.”