Van Gaal plays down Carrick injury, expects him to play Saturday vs. Chelsea

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal doesn't seem too concerned about the severity of Michael Carrick's injury.

The English midfielder was forced to leave Sunday's 4-2 victory over Manchester City in the latter stages, limping off the pitch with a calf problem. That left his team to play with 10 men, as Van Gaal had exhausted all three of his substitutions by that point.

But the bench boss remained confident the 33-year-old will be fit for Saturday's eagerly-awaited match against league leaders Chelsea.

"I don't think so," the Dutchman said when asked if there was any chance Carrick could miss the contest at Stamford Bridge. "He was wise to step off but we have to wait and see tomorrow. He had a stiff calf and he is a very experienced player so he asked to leave the pitch. I said: 'Okay.'"