Man Utd Match Centre
Man Utd Team News: Mourinho Confirms Duo Will Miss Saint-Etienne + De Gea Update
Jose Mourinho has confirmed two key men will miss Wednesday’s Europa League clash with Saint-Etienne while he also gave an update on David De Gea.
Manchester United will be looking to get the job done when they take a commanding lead in to the second leg of their Europa League clash with Saint-Etienne on Wednesday night.
United came out 3-0 winners from the first leg at Old Trafford last week and Mourinho has now given ManUtd.com a team news update ahead of their trip to France.
The Red Devils boss confirmed that Wayne Rooney missed yesterday’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Blackbrun Rovers due to a niggling muscle injury and is now set to miss the second leg against Saint-Etienne.
Rooney has missed United’s last four matches due to the undisclosed muscle problem and Mourinho has admitted that the attacker is now facing a race against time to make Sunday’s EFL Cup final against Southampton.
Phil Jones has also been missing in recent weeks with a foot injury which he suffered against Hull City earlier this month and the centre-back is now expected to miss the Saint-Etienne game on Wednesday.
However, there was relief surrounding the fitness of David De Gea as Mourinho confirmed that the goalkeeper wasn’t injured yesterday and was simply rested for the FA Cup clash at Ewood Park.
Sergio Romero started in goal and could even be retained for the second leg in France this week but De Gea is certain to return between the sticks for the cup final next weekend.
Antonio Valencia was also rested yesterday with Ashley Young starting at right-back but the Ecuadorian international has a chance to return to the starting eleven on Wednesday night.
Speaking to ManUtd.com after the win over Blackburn, Mourinho said:
“De Gea was rested. Rooney is injured. Jones is injured. I don’t think they will recover [to face Saint-Etienne on Wednesday]. Valencia was rested but Rooney and Jones haven’t trained with the team yet so I don’t think they will be there for Wednesday.”
When asked if Rooney will be fit for the EFL Cup final, Mourinho then said:
“I don’t know.”
I expect we’ll see Mourinho play a weakened side on Wednesday as United are in total control of the tie following their 3-0 first leg win and the Reds boss will want to rest his key players ahead of the EFL Cup final.
It’s going to be a pivotal week for United and they head in to it in fine form with Sunday’s 2-1 comeback win over Blackburn meaning they’ve lost just one of their last 24 games in all competitions.
