While the former Tottenham player has been able to overcome discomfort in order to continue playing for United in recent weeks, Moyes has now accepted the need for Carrick to have the problem addressed. His absence will be a blow, however, with Moyes now without his most con­sistent midfielder and left to rely on Ryan Giggs, who is 40 in two weeks’ time, and the out-of-sorts Tom Cleverley and Anderson.