Man Utd Team News: Mourinho Confirms Trio Will Miss Newcastle Trip

Manchester United will be looking to cement their position in second place with another win when they take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s provided an update on the latest team and injury news ahead of the game.

The United boss has confirmed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back in full first team training after recovering from his latest knee problem but the striker is still not available for selection just yet.

Ibrahimovic missed seven months with a serious knee ligament injury that he sustained last season but after making his comeback in November the Swede aggravated the issue and has been on the sidelines since Boxing Day.

The 36-year-old has been working hard to regain fitness and is now back in full training at Carrington, however, Mourinho says Ibrahimovic is still not fit enough to be in contention to face Newcastle.

Eric Bailly will also miss the trip to St James’ Park this weekend as the centre-back is continuing to work his way back to full fitness following ankle surgery that’s kept him out for over three months.

United will also be without Daley Blind  this weekend as Mourinho has confirmed the Dutchman is still nursing an ankle problem that’s hampered him in recent weeks.

However, there is more positive news on Phil Jones as the centre-back is expected to return to the squad this weekend after missing the win over Huddersfield through illness.

Jose Mourinho tells #MUTV that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back in first-team training but is not yet ready for a return to action, while Eric Bailly also remains unavailable. There are no fresh injury concerns. #MUFC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 9, 2018

The boss confirms that Daley Blind will also be unavailable for Sunday's clash with Newcastle. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/xb9cwO2C2T

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 9, 2018

United head in to the weekend action sitting second in the table – five points above Liverpool – so Mourinho will be keen to at least maintain that advantage with another win over Newcastle on Sunday.