Michael Carrick has delivered an important and reassuring injury briefing as Manchester United continue their build-up to a vital Premier League encounter away at West Ham on Tuesday night.
With confidence surging and form finally stabilised, United head into the fixture knowing momentum is firmly in their favour — but also aware that there is very little margin for mistakes as the season approaches a defining stretch.
Since replacing Rúben Amorim, Carrick has overseen an impressive turnaround. He is now chasing a fifth consecutive league win, an achievement that would have seemed unlikely only weeks ago.
Victories over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham have completely altered the narrative around United, injecting belief back into the squad and creating genuine optimism among supporters.
Those results have pushed United into fourth place in the Premier League standings, opening up a five-point cushion in the race for Champions League qualification. Even more remarkably, third place is now within reach — a scenario that looked unrealistic earlier in the campaign.
Carrick’s composed leadership, balanced tactics and clear faith in his core players have rapidly reshaped United into a side that is structured, confident and increasingly resilient.
Despite the recent surge, the trip to the London Stadium presents a serious challenge. West Ham may currently sit 18th, but their position is misleading.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s team remain dangerous, particularly on home soil, and they are just three points from escaping the relegation zone.
Every fixture now carries enormous significance for the Hammers, and United are well aware of their own poor record in East London, making this match another key test of Carrick’s progress.
The reverse fixture at Old Trafford in December ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw, with West Ham successfully disrupting United’s rhythm for long spells.
A repeat of that result on Tuesday would slow United’s push toward a top-four finish, while another win would further cement their Champions League ambitions.
Following the recent triumph over Tottenham, Carrick addressed growing concerns over player fitness, offering clarity on several key names.
One of the biggest worries surrounded Bryan Mbeumo. The attacker once again delivered an energetic performance, scoring and lasting 87 minutes against Fulham, but was later spotted limping slightly as the squad boarded the team bus. Given his importance to United’s recent attacking threat, fans were quick to fear the worst.
However, those concerns have since been eased. Club sources insist Mbeumo was simply feeling the effects of a demanding match rather than suffering a genuine injury.
Carrick is confident the forward will be fit and available for the West Ham clash, a significant boost considering his pace, directness and relentless work rate.
Mason Mount’s situation is less encouraging. The midfielder has missed recent matchday squads after picking up a training-ground knock.
Carrick confirmed that Tuesday’s fixture will arrive too soon for him, though there is optimism surrounding his recovery.
The United boss expects Mount to return later in the month for the home game against Everton, a comeback that would add depth, energy and control to the midfield during a busy run of fixtures.
At the back, Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined. The defender has not featured since late November due to ongoing back issues, despite starting the opening 13 league matches of the season.
His absence has forced Carrick to reshuffle defensively, though recent performances suggest the team is coping effectively.
Carrick adopted a cautiously positive stance on de Ligt, confirming that the centre-back is progressing well. While no definitive return date has been set, early March is viewed as a realistic target if his recovery continues smoothly.
Perhaps the most concerning long-term setback remains Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu’s injury, which has deprived United of an exciting wide option just as momentum was building.
