Man Utd Match Centre
Team News: Man Utd Boss Confirms Duo Could Miss Season Run-In But Attacker Returns
Jose Mourinho has confirmed that two of his key players could miss the rest of the season but an attacker is available for Man Utd’s game with West Brom
Manchester United will be looking to continue their push for the top four when they take on West Brom 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 given reporters a team news and injury update.
The Red Devils boss confirmed a huge double injury blow with the news that Chris Smalling and Phil Jones could miss the rest of the season after suffering ‘long term’ injuries on international duty.
Jones was forced to pull out of the England squad after suffering a suspected broken toe following a challenge in training by club-mate Smalling and it looks like the centre-back is now facing a spell on the sidelines.
Smalling also suffered a knee injury while away with the England squad during the international break and Mourinho concedes the defensive pair aren’t expected back any time soon.
The injuries will come as a big blow to United’s hopes of finishing in the top four as it leaves Mourinho will limited options in the middle of his defence as we head in to the business end of the season.
However, there was some better news regarding the fitness of Wayne Rooney as the Reds boss confirmed that he’s fit and available for selection after returning to full fitness.
Rooney hasn’t played for almost a month due to a niggling knee injury but the 31-year-old could now be pushing for a recall against the Baggies this weekend.
Jose Mourinho confirms @WayneRooney is ready to return for #MUFC against West Brom: https://t.co/RNLy8sifq9 pic.twitter.com/zd64GKPEdG
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 31, 2017
Smalling and Jones could miss rest of the season for United. Mourinho says both have ‘long-term injuries’.
— Jack Gaughan (@Jack_Gaughan) March 31, 2017
Rooney’s return to fitness could be well timed as United will be without Ander Herrera and Zlatan Ibrahimovic through suspension while Paul Pogba is also still out with a hamstring injury.
United head in to the weekend action sitting fifth in the table but they are four points behind Liverpool with two games in hand so Mourinho will be hoping to keep the pressure on with another positive result against West Brom.
