Michael Carrick sends message to two Man Utd stars after 'inept' performances

Carrick defended his young duo (Picture: NurPhoto/Shutterstock)

Michael Carrick has leapt to the defence of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven after the pair were criticised for their performances in the Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton .

Staff at United regard Yoro and Heaven as a partnership for the future with the duo starting together for the first time this season in the third round clash against the Seagulls on Wednesday night.

United led 2-0 inside 10 minutes on the night but a dreadful capitulation saw Brighton fight back and dump Carrick’s side out of the competition.

Heaven endured a particularly difficult night, at fault for Brighton’s first goal with both he and Yoro culpable for their equaliser.

Their positioning was called into question again for Brighton’s third with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp savaging the pair for their ‘inept’ performances.

‘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.’

Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire have been Michael Carrick’s preferred pairing at the back since taking the reins in January but the United boss insisted ahead of Sunday’s game with Fulham that his young pairing remains firmly in his plans.

Yoro’s performance was criticised against Brighton (Picture: Getty)

‘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.

Heaven also had a tough evening midweek (Picture: AFP)