Injured Carrick Misses Liverpool Clash

Michael Carrick will miss Manchester United’s Barclays Premier League trip to Liverpool on Sunday through injury, but Adnan Januzaj could be named on the bench.

Carrick hasn’t played since making an injury-time cameo against Swansea City in the first game of 2016. That was his 400th Reds appearance but he will not have the chance to add to his 20 outings against the Merseysiders for United.

Louis van Gaal revealed to MUTV that Januzaj could be involved this weekend following his return from a loan spell with Borussia Dortmund.

The boss also confirmed that Bastian Schweinsteiger and Phil Jones are making progress from their respective knee and ankle problems, but they remain doubtful for the Anfield clash.

"I think we have the same injuries as before," van Gaal said. "Maybe Schweinsteiger is coming back but that is not sure. It is very tight to regain – he needs more time, I think.

"[Carrick] is also injured; we have forgotten to mention it but he was injured. He is still injured so he cannot play either.

"Jones is possible but [Marcos] Rojo, [Antonio] Valencia and [Luke] Shaw need a longer time. They are not ready yet."

On Januzaj, he added: "We have taken no risk and we have built him up in our way of training sessions. Now he can be on the bench or he shall play in the second team."