Tuesday 19 September 2017 23:28, UK
Michael Carrick has been deprived of game-time but still has a role to play at Manchester United, says boss Jose Mourinho.
Carrick, 36, was named skipper after Wayne Rooney's summer departure, but has not played a single minute since being handed the armband.
The former West Ham and Tottenham midfielder has not even made the bench for some games this season but is expected to feature in Wednesday night's Carabao Cup tie against Burton, live on Sky Sports Football.
Last season, it was not until United's opening game in this competition that he made his first competitive appearance, before going onto play an important role for the remainder of the campaign - something Mourinho suggests he can do again.
"(Sergio) Romero played the Europa League final, which was the game of the season for us and he is not playing," the United boss said.
"Ander Herrera was player of the season and is not starting matches.
"That's life in big clubs.
"We gave him a contract because we think he is a good player, an important player, he is just in a team where I think in this moment (Nemanja) Matic and (Marouane) Fellaini are in the best form that I have ever seen them.
"I never saw Matic or Fellaini play so well, so he is in a team with these two guys playing absolutely phenomenal, so for Carrick and Ander it's just patience because that time will arrive and they will be important players for us for sure.
"That's a team, that's a squad, we can only play with 11 guys."
