Manchester United's defensive woes have deepened ahead of their crucial Premier League clash with Chelsea this Saturday, with young defender Leny Yoro now expected to miss the match due to injury.

This latest setback compounds a significant selection crisis for manager Michael Carrick. The team is seeking to rebound from a disappointing 2-1 midweek loss to Leeds United, but will have to do so with a severely depleted back line.

The defensive troubles began with Harry Maguire, who is serving an extended suspension following his red card against Bournemouth. He has been joined on the sidelines by Lisandro Martinez, who was sent off against Leeds for an incident involving Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

With both senior centre-backs unavailable, Carrick was likely to turn to the pairing of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven. However, reports from Samuel Luckhurst of The Sun indicate that Yoro has sustained an injury and did not travel with the squad to London.

This development leaves United potentially without four of their five recognised central defenders for the Stamford Bridge encounter. Even more concerning for the club's supporters and their push for a strong season finish are additional reports suggesting Yoro's injury could be serious enough to sideline him for the remainder of the campaign.

Facing a Chelsea side known for its attacking prowess, Carrick now faces a monumental tactical challenge to organize a makeshift defense, turning this high-stakes match into a true test of squad depth and resilience.