Carrick Returns To United With Injury

Michael Carrick has been forced to pull out of the England squad due to injury and the 34-year-old midfielder has returned to Manchester United, the FA confirmed on Monday.

Carrick was an unused substitute during Saturday’s 6-0 European Championship qualifying victory against San Marino but had been tipped to feature against Switzerland at Wembley on Tuesday, when Wayne Rooney hopes to break Sir Bobby Charlton’s scoring record for the Three Lions.

The injury to Carrick has been described by England coach Roy Hodgson as a "slight calf problem" which is unlikely to be "long term". However, it could provide a headache ahead of the Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford, when Louis van Gaal’s men will endeavour to bounce back from the disappointing 2-1 defeat at Swansea City that preceded the current international break.