Michael Carrick happy to plug defensive gaps

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has offered his services in defence as manager Louis van Gaal faces a shortage of options.

With Phil Jones already out with shin splints, Van Gaal now has to contend with two more defensive absentees following Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.

Marcos Rojo is expected to be sidelined for some time after dislocating his shoulder, while centre-back partner Chris Smalling will serve a one-match ban after picking up two yellow cards.

Carrick has made just one appearance for the Red Devils this season after recently returning from injury himself, and the 33-year-old is happy to plug gaps in defence if it means increased game time.

"If I need to play there then fine I have not had a lot of football recently so I will play anywhere," he is quoted as saying by BT Sport. "It's not somewhere I have played an awful lot of games.

"I have had spells of playing there over the years, playing two or three or four games in a season. But I don't mind. I will play anywhere."

United host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday, but travel away to Arsenal two weeks later after the international break.