Man Utd Team News: Mourinho Confirms Injury Boost But Trio To Miss Saint-Etienne

Manchester United will be looking to put one foot in the next phase when they take on Saint-Etienne in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie at Old Trafford tomorrow night.

Ahead of the game, Jose Mourinho has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s given ManUtd.com a team news and injury update.

The United boss started by confirming an injury boost with the news that Marcos Rojo is fit after recovering from a knock which he picked up against Leicester City earlier this month.

The Argentinean international was substituted at half-time against the Foxes on the 5th February and sat out the win over Watford at the weekend but Mourinho has confirmed that Rojo is back in contention tomorrow.

However, there wasn’t such positive news regarding the fitness of Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick or Phil Jones as the English trio have all been ruled out of the game against Saint-Etienne.

Carrick hasn’t featured in United’s last two games due to a minor muscular issue while Rooney has also missed the Leicester and Watford games with an unspecified knock.

Mourinho was reluctant to describe the experienced duo as ‘injured’ but he’s not willing to risk them against Saint-Etienne so both Carrick and Rooney will miss the game tomorrow evening.

Jones on the other hand has sat out the last two matches after suffering a foot injury during the 0-0 draw with Hull City at the start of the month and the centre-back remains unavailable for selection for the Europa League tie.

Mourinho told the clubs website:

“Marcos Rojo is totally recovered. We protected him at the weekend and now he is totally recovered. Carrick and Rooney, they appear with little things. I am not saying injuries because I don’t think we are speaking about injuries, but little things that I think are going to keep them out of the match tomorrow. Phil is still recovering from the injury.”

Rojo will be hoping to force his way back in to the starting eleven after impressing over the past few months while with Jones out Eric Bailly is expected to keep his place at the back.

Carrick’s absence means we’re likely to see Paul Pogba deployed in a slightly deeper role in midfield alongside Ander Herrera as United look to secure a first leg victory which would take them one step closer to the last-16.