Carrick Collects Euro Ban

Michael Carrick will miss next month’s crunch Champions League meeting with Basel through suspension.

The Reds midfielder collected his third yellow card of this season’s European campaign when he slid in on Pablo Aimar near the end of United’s 2-2 draw with Benfica at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Frustratingly for the 30–year-old, replays suggested Carrick won the ball fairly.

Turkish official Cuneyt Cakir disagreed, however, and cautioned Carrick for the challenge, which means he’ll now be forced to sit out of United’s matchday 6 encounter in Switzerland.

Losing Carrick, who’s almost a permanent fixture in Sir Alex’s starting line-up on big European nights, will be a big blow to the Reds, who need to avoid defeat in Switzerland to ensure qualification to the knockout phase.

The manager will have Nemanja Vidic back, however, after the Serbian completed his two-match ban after picking up a red card on matchday 3 in Romania.

United meet Basel at St Jakob's Park on Wednesday 7 December.