Manchester United head to Chelsea looking to bring their poor run of form to an end

As many as 13 players could be absent from Manchester United's clash with Chelsea this weekend, with both teams set to be without key players through injury. Michael Carrick knows anything less than three points could bring an end to his tenure as Man United boss, having picked up just two wins in all competitions this season.

It's the worst start to a season in the club's history, and United are understood to have a list of potential replacements ready. Carrick will be without six players for the trip to London, with Benjamin Sesko among them.

Sesko suffered a significant setback this week as Carrick confirmed the striker faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Carrick offered his sympathies to the forward: "Yeah, unfortunately Ben looks like he's going to be out for a period of time. We're still not clear of exactly how long, but it's going to be for a longer period of time.

"It was the process, as I said to you before, we had to go through the process, a bit of a healing process for the injury to see how it would react and what direction to go with that. Even now we're still working through it.

"But it's unfortunate, obviously first and foremost, for Ben, for the kind of period that he's had, and tried to get through it and going through this again. And for us to not have him available is obviously a blow, but we'll try and get back, get him back as quick as we can."

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In brighter news, Kobbie Mainoo could return to action this weekend, though Carrick admitted the England international had only done a little training this week.

The game looks set to be too early for Marcus Rashford, while Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu and Manuel Ugarte are also expected to miss the clash with the Blues.

As for Chelsea, Xabi Alonso's side are in the midst of a growing injury crisis, but have been given somewhat of a boost heading into the game.

The Blues boss revealed that Pep Chavarria and Moises Caicedo would be eligible to return, as will Cole Palmer after serving his suspension.

However, Chelsea could still be without as many as seven key players, with Maxence Lacroix suffering an injury blow this week.

The Blues defender appeared to pick up a hamstring injury during Tuesday night's Carabao Cup fourth round tie against Liverpool.

In the closing moments of the first half, he pulled up sharply, clutching the back of his left thigh. Alonso said: "Max picked up an injury and we expect he is not going to be ready before the international break. He will be a few weeks out."

When pressed on whether Emiliano Martinez, who is currently recuperating from surgery on a fractured jaw, could return to goalkeeping duties before the forthcoming international break, the Blues boss said: "There's a chance.

"We still need to wait until next week, but there's a chance," Alonso added. "In case he's ready to play, he will probably need a face mask."

Regarding Jorrel Hato and Pep Chavarria, who were both absent from the matchday squad on Tuesday evening, the Spaniard said: "Jorrel, no, but Pep Chavarria, yes."

The Blues could also be without Reece James, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Malo Gusto this weekend.