Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has provided a fitness update on his first-team squad ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League round of 16 tie versus Sevilla at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
In a report covered by the club’s official website, the 55-year-old revealed that he made enforced changes during the weekend as several first-team players including Marcus Rashford, Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia were deemed unfit.
However, the Portuguese tactician is hopeful of having the above-mentioned trio back in his first-team squad alongside Paul Pogba, who has been termed doubtful – despite reporting for training on Sunday after recovering from an illness.
He said: “Can we recover some of them to Wednesday? I believe so. I think Rashford, Herrera, Valencia have a chance. Paul I don’t know.”
Meanwhile, the manager confirmed that he won’t be able to bank on the services of central defensive duo Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones, who are said to be carrying injuries, and they have joined the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Daley Blind and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the unavailable list.
He added: “Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Marouane, Zlatan – I don’t think they have any chance, so we arrive at this crucial moment with some problem.”
Despite the setbacks, Mourinho is still capable of fielding a strong lineup capable of competing in Seville, and the return of Eric Bailly, in particular, is a big plus, though his match fitness may remain a concern for the midweek trip.
Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof produced a confidence-boosting performance at the heart of the defence versus the Terriers, but the latter may be sacrificed to ensure Bailly’s return to the starting lineup – for the first time since November 5.
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