Man Utd Team News: Mourinho Confirms Huge Triple Injury Boost Ahead Of Newcastle

Manchester United will be looking to close the gap on Man City with a win when they take on Newcastle at Old Trafford 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 offered reporters a team news and injury update.

The United boss was pleased to confirm a major triple injury boost with Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo all back in contention after recovering from injury.

Pogba has been on the sidelines since suffering a hamstring strain during the Champions League win over Basel in September and spent time in America during his rehabilitation.

However, the French international returned to full training earlier this month and after working his way back to full fitness, the midfield is now in contention to take on Newcastle this weekend.

Ibrahimovic has not featured for United since suffering a serious knee ligament injury during the win over Anderlecht back in April of last season and the striker was initially ruled out for around nine months.

That time-frame was brought forward to the New Year but the 35-year-old has continued to make a remarkable recovery and Mourinho has confirmed Ibrahimovic is also now available for selection.

Rojo also suffered a knee ligament injury during the Champions League win over Anderlecht last season but the defender has made a steady recovery and should return to the squad this weekend after playing for the U23’s earlier this week.

Mourinho told ManUtd.com:

“The players that stayed here and [were] recovering from injuries, even the ones that are recovering from big injuries, they are ready to play. Pogba, Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo.”

Ibrahimovic’s recovery will come as a huge boost as he’ll offer a top class alternative to Romelu Lukaku up front but Mourinho has said the striker will need time to get back to his best form.

Mourinho continued to ManUtd.com:

“He [Zlatan] made a full recovery. Now you cannot expect him to be ready to play 90 minutes or to be ready to play consecutive matches like he did all his career.

“Now he needs time to be back to his level, his fitness, his confidence, his sharpness, his everything. But, from the clinical point of view, to be good and ready is fantastic.”

United head in to the weekend action sitting second in the table but eight points adrift of leaders Man City so Mourinho will be desperate to close the gap with a win tomorrow afternoon.

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