Mourinho’s Injury Blow: Man Utd Star Expected To Miss Crucial Arsenal Trip

Manchester United have been dealt a major injury blow as Nemanja Matic is expected to miss this weekend’s trip to the Emirates to take on Arsenal, according to the Mirror.

Matic has started every Premier League game so far this season and once again lined-up alongside Paul Pogba in the middle of the park against Watford on Tuesday night.

However, the Serbian international asked to be substituted early in the second half after sustaining a muscle injury and was replaced by Ander Herrera in the 54th minute.

Mourinho admitted after the 4-2 win that the injury must have been serious for Matic to withdraw himself from the game but the United boss said he would wait for the medical team to assess the midfielder before a timescale was put on his recovery.

The Mirror claim that Matic has now undergone tests on the muscle problem and while he has still not given up all hope of making a miraculous recovery, the midfielder is expected to be ruled out of the trip to the Emirates tomorrow night.

Mourinho should provide an update on Matic’s fitness at his press conference this afternoon but if the 29-year-old is ruled out then it will come as a huge blow to United.

The Serbian international has been in excellent form since moving to Old Trafford in a £35m deal from Chelsea in the summer and is a key part of Mourinho’s starting eleven.

If Matic doesn’t make the trip to London this weekend then Ander Herrera is set to start in midfield as Marouane Fellaini is also a doubt for the Arsenal game.

United’s focus now will be getting Matic fully fit for the Manchester derby at Old Trafford next Sunday when the Red Devils entertain run-away leaders Manchester City.

Pep Guardiola’s side maintained their eight-point advantage with a last gasp win over Southampton in midweek so United know they need a result on home soil next week in order to close the gap.