Man Utd Match Centre
Man Utd Team News: Solskjaer Dealt Fresh Blow But Defender Should Return vs Cardiff
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been dealt a fresh team news blow but a defender should return for Manchester United’s trip to Cardiff City tomorrow.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given his first pre-match press conference since taking over as caretaker manager at Manchester United.
The former striker spoke to the media at United’s Carrington training base this morning ahead of their trip to Cardiff City on Saturday evening and he’s provided a team news and injury update with the 45-year-old confirming reports that Romelu Lukaku has missed training this week.
The Daily Mail are one of several newspapers to report that Lukaku is set to miss the Cardiff game this weekend after being granted compassionate leave and Solskjaer has confirmed the Belgian international has been given some time off.
Alexis Sanchez is also unavailable tomorrow evening as the Chilean international is still working his way back to full fitness from a hamstring injury that’s kept him on the sidelines for the last month.
Solskjaer told ManUtd.com:
“Romelu has had a couple of days off, so I’ve not seen him yet. That was decided before [I arrived], so that’s fine. I’ve not seen Alexis, because he’s on his way back as well.”
Chris Smalling missed the defeat to Liverpool last weekend after aggravating a foot injury during the pre-match warm-up and the centre-back remains a doubt to face Cardiff on Saturday evening.
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However, there is some positive news for Solskjaer as injury analyst Ben Dinnery confirmed on social media that Luke Shaw has been back in training this week and should be in contention to return against Cardiff after missing the last couple of games with a back injury.
Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof and Anthony Martial all made their returns from injury at Anfield last Sunday so Solskjaer has a relatively healthy squad to choose from as he looks to start his tenure as caretaker manager with a win against former club Cardiff tomorrow.
United currently sit sixth in the table – 11 points off the top four and 19 off leaders Liverpool – so Solskjaer has a huge job on his hands if the Manchester giants are to get back competing at the top end of the table this season.
