Michael Carrick has defended Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven after the young Manchester United centre-backs were heavily criticised for their performances in the Carabao Cup third-round defeat to Brighton. Despite a 2-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes, United capitulated and were dumped out of the competition, with both players at fault for key goals.
Young duo endure difficult night at the Amex
Yoro and Heaven started together for the first time this season in the clash against the Seagulls on Wednesday night. Staff at United reportedly view the pair as a partnership for the future, but their inexperience was exposed as Brighton fought back to win the tie.
Heaven was at fault for Brighton's first goal, while both he and Yoro were culpable for the equaliser. Their positioning was again questioned for Brighton's third, prompting Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp to label their performances 'inept'.
'The inexperience of the two young centre-backs showed,' Redknapp said. 'I have no doubt the two of them will be on the phone to their agent (asking) why am I not playing at the moment. That's why. These kind of performances tonight.'
Carrick insists duo remain in his plans
Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire have been Carrick's preferred defensive pairing since he took charge in January, but the United boss insisted ahead of Sunday's Premier League match against Fulham that Yoro and Heaven remain firmly in his plans.
'I thought they started really well in the game, I thought we started really well,' Carrick said. 'It's not about them, I think they will learn from different experiences and I think they have done particularly well.'
'They are in a really good spot as two young players who have really good futures. Unfortunately you go through times in football where you have good spells and times where you learn a lot when things haven't gone so well but I wouldn't isolate them at all.'
United turn attention to Fulham
Manchester United now travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Sunday, where Carrick will have to decide whether to stick with the young pairing or revert to the more experienced Martinez and Maguire. The manager's public backing suggests Yoro and Heaven will get more opportunities to prove their worth despite the setback.
