Man Utd Squad Revealed For Arsenal Clash: 6 Injury Doubts Included But Duo Miss Out

Manchester United desperately need a positive result to boost their chances of finishing in the top four when they take on Arsenal at Old Trafford this evening.

Jose Mourinho refused to divulge his team news to the media during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon as he didn’t want to give Unai Emery an advantage but the United boss was more forthcoming during an interview with ManUtd.com later in the day.

The Portuguese coach claimed that if the game was to be played on Tuesday then Phil Jones, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Antonio Valencia would be unavailable for selection due to various injury problems.

Mourinho also said that Luke Shaw was a major doubt after limping off during the 2-2 draw with Southampton at the weekend so United had plenty of players facing late fitness tests ahead of the visit of Arsenal.

There was some positive news as Matteo Darmian is back in contention but with Victor Lindelof certain to miss the game with a hamstring injury and Ashley Young serving a one-match suspension after collecting his fifth booking of the season, Mourinho had growing problems in defence.

He told ManUtd.com:

“If our game was today, I’d say Jones is not playing, Smalling is not playing and Bailly is not playing but we will have to wait,”

“Valencia is not playing. Shaw is a doubt. Darmian is back, but I have to wait. Of course, Lindelof is out of the question.”

It looks like Shaw and Jones – who both picked up knocks against Southampton – have failed to prove their fitness as the Manchester Evening News claim they weren’t with the squad that checked in to the Hilton Garden Inn at Old Trafford cricket ground last night.

However, it seems Smalling, Valencia and Bailly could be in contention as the trio were all spotted arriving at the hotel with the rest of the squad so Mourinho’s problems at the back could be severely eased.

In a further boost for the Red Devils, the MEN claims Romelu Lukaku is in the squad despite being forced off against Southampton while Marcus Rashford was also seen arriving with the rest of the players having recovered from a dead leg.

United are expected to give all their fitness doubts late tests today but with 21 players in their provisional squad, it seems a number of them will be passed fit to face Arsenal this evening.

This is the confirmed 21-man squad that arrived at the Hilton Garden hotel on Tuesday night, according to the Manchester Evening News:

David de Gea, Sergio Romero, Lee Grant, Diogo Dalot, Antonio Valencia, Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo, Fred, Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini, Scott McTominay, Jesse Lingard, Ander Herrera, Nemanja Matic, Andreas Pereira, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku