MANCHESTER -- Louis van Gaal does not believe Michael Carrick will be a doubt for Manchester United's trip to Chelsea, despite the England international limping off against Manchester City.
Carrick came off in the closing stages of his side's 4-2 derby win at Old Trafford on Sunday with a calf problem, leaving United with 10 men for the closing minutes.
He will be assessed on Monday, but Van Gaal played down concerns his vice-captain will have to miss the trip to face the league leaders at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
"I don't think so," he said in a news conference. "He was wise to step off but we have to wait and see tomorrow. He had a stiff calf and he is a very experienced player so he asked to leave the pitch. I said: 'Okay.'"
Van Gaal said he shouldered the responsibility for leaving United one man short after making all three of his substitutions before then.
Phil Jones, Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini had all received generous ovations when they were removed as Van Gaal gave game-time to replacements Marcos Rojo, Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao.
But then Carrick took the precautionary measure of departing and United's 10 men conceded a second goal to City top scorer Sergio Aguero.
"It is my fault, not his," the United manager added. "A standing ovation for the players was fantastic but of course it was an error from me that I give too much minutes to my substitutes because it is not so wise to change all your three possibilities."