Man Utd Team News: Mourinho Confirms Triple Injury Blow Ahead Of Chelsea Trip

Manchester United will look to close in on the top four when they take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Ahead of the game, Jose Mourinho has given ManUtd.com a team news and injury update this afternoon and unfortunately the Red Devils boss confirmed a triple injury blow.

Mourinho has revealed that Juan Mata won’t play again this season as he’s not expected to recover from his groin surgery until the end of May at the earliest.

Mata went under the knife earlier this month to cure a groin problem and there were hopes he may make a swift recovery to play some part in United’s run-in but Mourinho has confirmed the attacker won’t be fit until the end of May.

The Portuguese coach also revealed that Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are still around a month away from making their returns meaning they will miss the majority of United’s final matches.

Smalling is recovering from a knee injury that he sustained while on international duty while Jones suffered a broken toe in England training last month and Mourinho says the duo aren’t expected back until mid-May.

He told the clubs website:

On when Mata will return…
“late May”

On when Smalling and Jones will be fit…
“Mid-May”

Mourinho’s estimate means Smalling and Jones could miss United’s next six fixtures against Chelsea, Anderlecht, Burnley, Man City, Swansea and Arsenal but they’ll hope to be available for the trip to Tottenham on May 14th.

If so, then the duo will also be in contention for the final two Premier League games of the season against Southampton and Crystal Palace as well as a potential Europa League final on May 24th.

There was no update on Ashley Young or Wayne Rooney after both missed last night’s 1-1 draw with Anderlecht in the Europa League but Ander Herrera and David De Gea are pushing for recalls after being unused substitutes in Belgium.