League Cup
Man Utd Team News: Duo Set To Return As Mourinho Hints At Changes Against Bristol
Two players are set to return as Jose Mourinho hinted he’ll make changes for Manchester United’s League Cup clash with Bristol City.
Manchester United will be looking to book their place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup when they take on Bristol City at Ashton Gate this evening.
Jose Mourinho hasn’t conducted a pre-match press conference ahead of the game but the United boss has given ManUtd.com the latest team news and injury update.
The United boss insists he will take the game seriously as he feels the Championship is now a tough competition and Bristol – who sit third in the table – are one of the best teams in the division.
However, Mourinho has hinted he’ll freshen things up with some changes and confirmed that Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be handed a recall to the squad tomorrow night.
The Armenian international hasn’t featured in eight of United’s last nine squads and didn’t even travel to the Hawthorns for their 2-1 victory over West Brom on Sunday afternoon.
The 28-year-old playmaker has been tipped for a move this January after falling out-of-favour but it looks like Mkhitaryan could be given his first taste of action since the win over Brighton at the end of November.
Mourinho told the clubs website:
“He [Mkhitaryan] can [be back], I am making a few changes for the match, but not many because Bristol City are one of the best teams in the Championship.
“For me now, the Championship is not the Championship of five or 10 years ago. The Championship is now high-quality teams with lots of players that could be playing in the Premier League easily. So we need to take the game really seriously. I am going to make a few changes and it is possible Micki is involved.”
United will also welcome Paul Pogba back in to the squad after the influential midfielder completed his three-match suspension following his sending off against Arsenal earlier this month.
Nemanja Matic is the man expected to make-way in midfield as he’s been carrying a muscle problem in recent games so the Serbian international should be given a rest tomorrow night.
Sergio Romero is expected to come in between the sticks with David De Gea handed a rest while Zlatan Ibrahimovic could make his first start of the campaign up front.
Antonio Valencia is unlikely to feature after limping off with a hamstring injury at the weekend so Matteo Darmian may get a recall while Luke Shaw will also be hoping for another chance to impress at left-back.
