Manchester United’s resurgence under Michael Carrick faces its sternest test yet as a crippled squad arrives in London to face a desperate West Ham United.

The narrative of Carrick’s caretaker spell has been one of flawless execution—four games, four wins. But the physio room at Carrington tells a different story. The absence of key enforcers has stripped the team’s spine, leaving Carrick to patch together a lineup capable of surviving a Tuesday night ambush at the London Stadium. This isn’t just about maintaining momentum; it is a tactical gamble with a depleted deck.

The Casualty List

The confirmed absentees read like a spine of the team. Patrick Dorgu is out long-term with a thigh injury, a massive blow to United’s width and pace. Midfield engine Mason Mount is sidelined with a knock, and defensive anchor Matthijs de Ligt is grounded with back pain. "Mason is definitely out for Tuesday," Carrick admitted, his tone betraying the tension. "We hope for Everton, but tonight is too soon."

On the other side, West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo is playing his own game of Russian roulette. With Jean-Clair Todibo suspended and goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski injured, the Hammers are vulnerable. Doubts also hang over Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, leaving the hosts’ attack blunt.

• United’s Form: 4 wins in 4 matches, including a morale-boosting victory over Tottenham.
• West Ham’s Struggle: Inconsistent and flirting with the relegation zone, but recent home form offers a glimmer of hope.

Tactical Checkmate?

Carrick’s challenge is to rotate without collapsing. The London Stadium is a graveyard for United managers; a loss here could derail the fragile confidence built over the last month. For West Ham, it is about survival. Nuno knows that taking a scalp tonight could turn their season around.

Expect a cagey affair, decided not by brilliance, but by who makes the fewest mistakes in a game defined by who isnt playing rather than who is.