Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal says midfielder Michael Carrick will not play again this season.
The 33-year-old has been out of action since April after suffering a calf injury against Manchester City and will fail to recover in time to play in any of United's last three games of the season.
"[Michael] Carrick is not available, it was more heavy than we thought," van Gaal told MUTV.
"We tried everything but now we have to think about next season. He shall not play anymore this season, it's better now to focus for him on next season and being fit to start.
"When you see the stats, it's clear that he's very important but that's also because we have only one right-sided holding midfielder.
"That's what I am saying already in the whole of the season, that our selection is not balanced, and I want to restore that in the next transfer period. The life is not ending at 34, but for a professional football player, it's close by. That's why I have to handle again in that position.
"[Jonny] Evans and [Luke] Shaw can play football or the game. Evans doesn't have the match rhythm as he was injured for six weeks and after that he was suspended for six weeks, and after that he was injured. He needs match rhythm."
Meanwhile, the Dutchman explained why he signed Memphis Depay so early ahead of next season.
"I was forced to handle [the situation] as a manager because, otherwise, he was going to PSG, that's why I had to sign him and we've done it within one day," van Gaal revealed.
"I want to do this [make signings] early but it's not always possible.
"When there's a chance, to you have handle that and manage it directly and that was the case. I want to purchase players after our season and not during the season because it disturbs our concentration for the match."
