Man Utd Match Centre
Man Utd Team News: Duo Could Return But Forward Ruled Out Of Stoke Clash
Two players could return for Manchester United but a striker has been ruled out as Jose Mourinho prepares to welcome Stoke to Old Trafford on Monday
Manchester United will be looking to cement their position in second place in the table when they take on Stoke City at Old Trafford on Monday night.
Jose Mourinho has been speaking to the media at his press conference this evening and he’s offered a team news and injury update ahead of the game.
The Reds boss confirmed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still unavailable for selection as the striker is still a couple of weeks away from returning to full training.
Ibrahimovic returned from a six-month absence from a serious knee injury in November but after making a handful of appearances he aggravated the injury last month.
The Swedish legend is still resting the problem but Mourinho has revealed that the 36-year-old is pencilled-in to return to full training either at the end of the month or the start of February.
Mourinho told ManUtd.com:
“Zlatan is injured, or is not totally happy with his condition. He fought like a tiger, like he likes to say, to be back, which he did. He was starting having minutes here and there, he had a start, he had 60 minutes of one game and started another one, and had 45 [minutes], and he was not happy with his feelings.
“He consulted other doctors and other opinions, and we all made the decision to stop treatment. When he’s feeling really good, he can come back to work. The date for him to be back to training with the team was around the end of January or beginning of February, so let’s hope his feelings are better and we have him as soon as possible.”
However, there could be better news for United with Antonio Valencia and Michael Carrick both closing-in on their returns to action after taking part in full training while away with the squad in Dubai this week.
Valencia hasn’t featured since suffering a hamstring injury against West Brom almost a month ago but the Ecuadorian international could be back in the squad on Monday night.
Carrick on the other hand has not played since September after discovering he had an irregular heart-beat so it’s less likely that the midfielder will be called back in to action just yet.
Elsewhere, Ashley Young is still serving his three-match suspension while Eric Bailly is working his way back from an ankle injury so both players are certain to miss the Stoke game.
