Man Utd Team News: Mourinho Confirms Major Boost But Duo Could Miss Out

Jose Mourinho has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester United’s final Premier League game of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Portuguese coach offered a team news and injury update which included a major boost with Paul Pogba set to return to the first team after missing the last two games following the death of his father.

Mourinho has confirmed that Pogba will start against Palace this weekend as he needs to get some minutes under his belt ahead of next Wednesday night’s Europa League final.

Tim Fosu-Mensah is also set to make his return after recovering from a dislocated shoulder as the young defender also looks to prove his fitness ahead of the Ajax game next week.

However, Mourinho revealed that Chris Smalling won’t be involved against Palace due to a minor knock but the defender should recover in time for the Europa League final.

Marouane Fellaini is also a doubt for this weekend as the club are still awaiting scan results after the midfielder picked up a hamstring injury against Southampton in midweek.

Mourinho also gave an insight in to the team he’ll select on Sunday and as expected, the United boss plans to field an inexperienced side with the likes of Joel Pereira, Demi Mitchell, Scott McTominay, Josh Harrop, Matty Willock, Angel Gomes and Zachary Dearnley all set to be named in the squad.

The ‘Special One’ will still include a few of his first team regulars in the starting eleven to add some experience to the side but Wayne Rooney is unlikely to be one of them after playing 90 minutes in midweek.

Mourinho told ManUtd.com:

“Paul Pogba is fine. A strong guy, strong mentality. He’s learning how to live after his father passed away, but he is strong. He knows that he needs to play on Sunday because he hasn’t played or trained for a long time and he needs these minutes on the pitch, so he plays against Palace.

“Chris Smalling has a problem, but a small problem that I think is no problem at all for next week. It’s a problem for the weekend but not for the final. Marouane Fellaini is the question mark; we wait for today’s scans, we decided not to do it yesterday. Again, his feelings aren’t bad, but let’s wait. Tim Fosu-Mensah plays on Sunday and, if the reaction is good, and if he manages to play the game without problems, he’s a new option for us for the final.”

“You will have the two goalkeepers, Joel Pereira and Kieran O’Hara. We will have Demi Mitchell, Scott McTominay, Josh Harrop, Matty Willock, Angel Gomes and Zachary Dearnley. I think that’s it. Plus Tim Fosu-Mensah and Axel Tuanzebe, so lots of them.”

“I think one [young player can play] in the middle of a good structure, a dynamic structure, an experienced structure, yes. But as for lots of them together, I think no [they aren’t ready].

“I will bring three of four of the first-team players, you know, to play one half each. I can give a little bit of experience to the team but, at the same time, save them all for Wednesday. I don’t know [whether] Wayne [will play] or not, he played 90 minutes in the last match, so probably not.”

United head in to the final game knowing they are guaranteed to finish sixth in the Premier League so it comes as no surprise that Mourinho is focussing on Wednesday night’s Europa League final against Ajax.