Michael Carrick will be desperate for a victory this afternoon as Manchester United travel to fierce rivals Leeds in the Premier League

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick knows how important today is for his team. United are in desperate need of three points as they look to end another difficult week on a high. The United boss has chosen to draw a line under the Lisandro Martinez drama and the Argentine defender is available for selection at Leeds.

Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo were absent from the game against Atletico Madrid. Both were dealing with physical issues and Carrick confirmed they will undergo late checks to see if they will be fit to face the Yorkshire club.

Benjamin Sesko remains absent and United are not yet giving a timeline for when he could be back. He joins Patrick Dorgu, Noussair Mazraoui, Tom Heaton and Manuel Ugarte on the sidelines for this game.

With this in mind, MEN Sport has asked our United writers to pick their teams to face Leeds.

Tyrone Marshall

For all the post-match chaos in Madrid, United actually produced a performance that gave Carrick a platform to build on and I'd stick with the same sort of principles at Leeds.

Ayden Heaven can continue at left-back for this game, having done well enough in midweek, and Diogo Dalot plays at right-back. I'd play Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire at centre-back, not to punish Martinez, but to give him a rest because he will be needed to partner Maguire at Como and Maguire got his rest in Madrid.

Midfield is a key area. If Mainoo is unavailable, I'd go with Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans again. They delivered some much-needed control against Atletico, and with backs against the wall I think that is what United need. I'm actually tempted to rest Bruno Fernandes completely, but will start him on the right again, with Bryan Mbeumo through the middle, and Matheus Cunha coming in for Marcus Rashford.

Steven Railston

It would be a big boost if Shaw is back. Heaven did fine against Atletico earlier in the week, but it would clearly be beneficial to have the experience of the 31-year-old at the back at a raucous Elland Road.

I would also bring Mainoo back into the team if he's available. Although Santos didn't put a foot wrong in Spain, Baleba seemed like the perfect foil for Mainoo when he arrived from Brighton in the summer.

Fernandes has looked exhausted since the World Cup and many would like to see him rested, but world-class players can still produce moments of magic even when they are not at their best.

Jack Flintham

Dalot did not impress against Atleti so I would be tempted to move Yoro to right-back and start Maguire and Martinez at centre-back. It would be preferable to have Shaw available but, considering his injury record, it might be best to stick with Heaven.

Mainoo is worth risking if he is feeling better, him and Baleba could be an effective partnership. Tielemans did better in attacking midfield and should keep his place with Fernandes on the right. The captain needs a rest but preferably that shouldn't be against Leeds.

Up front, United have to stick with Mbeumo in the absence of Sesko. I would stick with Rashford over Cunha.