Carrick looks ahead to Man Utd's clash with Leeds
[Getty Images] It is three weeks since we were last talking about a Manchester United match on a Saturday, and that was the fall-out from the 2-2 defeat at Bournemouth and inconsistencies in the decisions of referee Stuart Attwell. Now it is the fitness of Lisandro Martinez, given Harry Maguire is suspended for Monday's encounter with Leeds. Martinez has been out for two months with a calf injury but was able to play a full part in training during this week's trip to the Republic of Ireland, which is important as, with Maguire out and Matthijs de Ligt still sidelined by a back problem, Michael Carrick's alternatives are youngsters Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro.
Any game against Leeds is bound to be fiercely contested – Carrick played in one, a League Cup tie at Elland Road in 2011 and was on the bench for the FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford in 2010 – but this is important at both ends of the table. Leeds need points to stay away from relegation trouble, Manchester United need four wins and a draw from their final seven games to confirm a place in next season's Champions League. Carrick is speaking to the media on a Saturday as he had given everyone a day off after four days in Maynooth.
It will be good to have a match to focus on.