Man Utd Team News: Mourinho Confirms Duo Will Return But Attacker Ruled Out

Manchester United will be looking to climb back in to the top four of the Premier League table when they take on Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon. 

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

The Red Devils boss confirmed that Luke Shaw will return to the squad tomorrow having not played since the 4-0 FA Cup win over Reading back in late January.

Shaw has endured a frustrating campaign with injury hampering his progress during the early months before the 21-year-old found himself frozen out by Mourinho even when he returned to full fitness.

However, the Portuguese coach has confirmed that Shaw will be back in the squad tomorrow but didn’t reveal whether the defender will start or be among the substitutes.

Mourinho told the clubs website:

“Luke Shaw, I have good news for you. He is selected for tomorrow so you don’t need to have the guys at the Lowry [team hotel] to take pictures of who is selected and makes the list because Luke is on the list for tomorrow.

“Again, it is one step up from not being selected, from not being in the final, from not even being on the bench. Now, like Wayne, he’s selected so he is playing or being on the bench. He becomes an option to us again.”

Marcos Rojo started at left-back during last weekend’s EFL Cup final victory over Southampton but with Daley Blind also pushing for a recall, Mourinho has plenty of options with Shaw now back in contention.

The United boss also dismissed reports linking Wayne Rooney with a move away from Old Trafford and confirmed that the attacker will also be in the squad against Bournemouth tomorrow.

Rooney was an unused substitute at Wembley last weekend but Mourinho explained the 31-year-old was due to come on with extra time looming before Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the late winner.

Jose told ManUtd.com:

“So Wayne Rooney to Everton, I can only say that in the final with the result at 2-2, with the team in difficulties, with the team possibly going to play 40 more minutes, Rooney was ready to go into the pitch. So he is not the player you play in the last minute, not the player to give him a gift to be in the winning final, he is a player you trust and are probably going to make him your crucial change, the last one.”

“The second thing I can say about Wayne is that he is selected for tomorrow with possibilities to play, obviously to start or be on the bench and come in. Since the moment he decided to stay, to help the team and to fight for the team and Manchester United, he is an important player for us. I think by giving you these two little big details, I am telling you all the talk about Everton, for me, is nonsense.”

Henrikh Mkhitaryan returned to training today after recovering from a hamstring injury that he sustained during the Europa League win over Saint-Etienne last month.

However, Mourinho also told reporters that the Armenian international isn’t going to be fit enough to be involved against Bournemouth this weekend.

Jose said @HenrikhMkh trained but not fit for tomorrow.

— Simon Stone (@sistoney67) March 3, 2017

Phil Jones is back in contention after recovering from a foot injury but he’ll face stiff competition from Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo for a starting spot in the middle of defence.

United head into the game this weekend sitting sixth in the table but they can move in to the top four with a win ahead of Arsenal’s huge clash with Liverpool at Anfield.