Man Utd Team News: Mourinho Offers Positive Injury Update On Key Duo

Jose Mourinho has given ManUtd.com a team news update ahead of Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Anderlecht.

The Red Devils boss was pleased to confirm that Antonio Valencia is expected to be back in contention on Thursday night after missing the last two games with a muscle problem.

Valencia sat out the draw with Everton last week as well as the win at Sunderland yesterday but the Ecuadorian international is now set to return at right-back for Thursday’s trip to Brussels.

Goalkeeper David De Gea also missed Sunday’s 3-0 victory at the Stadium of Light due to a hip problem but thankfully Mourinho has confirmed the injury isn’t anything serious.

However, it looks as though Sergio Romero could still retain his place in between the sticks against Anderlecht after playing in all of United’s Europa League matches so far this season.

Mourinho is quoted as saying by ManUtd.com:

“We played with the players available [against Sunderland]. Not one single player stayed in Manchester because we were thinking about resting them, or because we were thinking about rotation or about Anderlecht. Not at all.

“These are the players available at the moment and, when I look to the others, I just expect Valencia to be ready to play and no more, I don’t think. I don’t think any one of the other boys will be ready to play.”

“De Gea’s injury is not serious and Romero every time he plays he plays so well. The fans are used to having Romero in goal in the competition [the Europa League] – that becomes the most important competition for us after winning the League Cup.

“The Europa League is the competition we can still win, so when Sergio plays in the Europa League and when we are giving him this confidence to play, it’s because we know that his answer is positive and today he looked like he was really comfortable.”

So it’s positive news on Valencia and De Gea but it looks as though Wayne Rooney is set to continue on the sidelines after missing the last two games with ankle problems.

Ashley Young is another player who looks likely to miss out on Thursday after sitting out the Sunderland game yesterday with a knock which forced him off against Everton last week.

Juan Mata isn’t expected back any time soon following groin surgery so he remains out along with centre-backs Chris Smalling and Phil Jones as United prepare to fly out to Belgium on Wednesday ahead of Thursday’s first leg.