Carrick wary of rotating Man Utd squad in Carabao Cup
Michael Carrick has decisions to make around his starting line-up for Manchester United's Carabao Cup tie with Brighton on Thursday.
United hs won just two of its five games across all competitions this season, including just one of its four Premier League matches.
The Red Devils most recently lost to rival Manchester City, in controversial fashion, placing more pressure on Carrick.
United was expected to rotate its squad against Brighton, with 15 year-old JJ Gabriel one of the players seemingly set to be included before widespread reports emerged suggesting he wants his contract terminated with immediate effect.
It also faces Fulham before the international break, and Carrick acknowledged he must find the right balance between winning matches and squad rotation.
"That's the decision that we have to make," he said. "I think we obviously played in the Champions League and made changes during the week, and we changed a little bit as we've gone. That's the decision.
"It's important for us to win football matches, and it's important that we manage the squad as well and keep everyone up to speed, keep everyone ready, keep everyone part of it. But we're certainly going into Wednesday trying to win the game."
United has progressed from 19 of its last 22 Carabao Cup third-round ties, although each of its three eliminations in this time came at Old Trafford.
Carlos Baleba, who joined United from Brighton in a £70m move this summer, will not be in the squad, but Carrick revealed the midfielder is close to returning from injury.
"He'll be back in and around the group at some point over the next week or so, so that means after internationals, he should be in good shape," Carrick said.
"He's a quality player, that's why we brought him, and he balances off the dynamics of the midfield particularly well."
Michael Carrick
Manchester United FC
