Jose On Fellaini, Pogba & Lukaku: Utd Boss Plays Down Injuries Ahead Of Liverpool

Jose Mourinho has played down Manchester United’s injury problems after offering updates on Marouane Fellaini, Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku ahead of Saturday’s trip to Liverpool, according to the Daily Mail.

Fellaini has been ruled out of the crucial showdown at Anfield this weekend after suffering a knee ligament injury while away with the Belgian squad during the international break.

The 29-year-old has returned to Carrington to undergo further assessment with the United medial team and it’s not yet clear exactly how long the midfielder will be on the sidelines for.

Fellaini had been in fine form heading in to the international break and scored twice during the 4-0 win over Crystal Palace last time out so many thought the news would come a disappointment to Mourinho.

However, the United boss has played down Fellaini’s absence and insists the club ‘don’t cry’ about injuries as he has full faith in the players that come in for those on the sidelines.

When asked about Fellaini’s injury, Mourinho is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail:

‘No blow, no problem. We don’t cry with injuries. We may cry with the process that leads to the injuries but we don’t cry with the injuries. We just trust the players that are going to play.’

Fellaini’s injury means United have limited options in midfield as Paul Pogba is still nursing a hamstring injury that’s already kept him out for the past month.

The French international posted videos of himself on Instagram enjoying a workout session in the gym recently but Mourinho insists he still has ‘no idea’ when the midfielder will be available again.

When asked about a possible comeback date for Pogba, Mourinho simply replied:

‘No idea.’

With Pogba and Fellaini on the sidelines and Michael Carrick also still recovering from a knock, Ander Herrera is expected to be recalled to start alongside Nemanja Matic in the middle of the park against Liverpool.

United have also been sweating over the fitness of Lukaku in recent days as the striker missed Belgium’s win at Bosnia & Herzegovina last weekend due to an ankle injury.

However, the striker came off the bench to score during the 4-0 win over Cyprus on Tuesday and speaking ahead of that match, Mourinho was happy for his key man to feature for his country if it meant he was fully recovered.

Mourinho is quoted as saying yesterday by the Daily Mail:

‘If he [Lukaku] plays tonight it is because he has recovered.’

Lukaku’s availability to face Liverpool will come as a huge boost to United as the striker has enjoyed an excellent start to life at Old Trafford having scored 11 goals since joining from Everton in the summer.