Man Utd dealt double blow as Solskjaer rules duo out of Chelsea & Liverpool games

Manchester United have been dealt a double injury blow with Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial set to miss the upcoming games with Chelsea and Liverpool, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Lingard was forced off shortly before half-time during United’s Champions League last-16 first leg defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night and was replaced by Alexis Sanchez after picking up a hamstring injury.

Martial also suffered a groin problem during the closing stages of the first half at Old Trafford in midweek and while he soldiered on until half time, the Frenchman was replaced by Juan Mata for the second half.

Solskjaer admitted immediately after the PSG defeat that he feared both attackers were facing a spell on the sidelines and the caretaker United boss has now confirmed that Lingard and Martial are expected to be out for two to three weeks.

It means the pair will miss Monday’s FA Cup fifth round trip to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea while they are also set to sit out the huge visit of Liverpool to Old Trafford next weekend in the Premier League.

Lingard and Martial will join Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian on the sidelines with the defensive duo also ruled out of the Chelsea game due to muscle injuries.

Unfortunately United have been dealt a further blow as Solskjaer also revealed that youngster Mason Greenwood was in-line for a place in the squad on Monday but has been ruled out after picking up a knock.

The injury situation has opened the door for other academy prospects and the United coach hinted that Angel Gomes and Tahith Chong could be named in the squad against Chelsea on Monday.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference this afternoon, Solskjaer told ManUtd.com:

“I don’t think we will see them in the next two games. Let’s hope they heal quickly, but it looks like they might be out for two or three weeks.”

“Again, Antonio [Valencia] is out, Matteo [Darmian] is out, but apart from that we are good to go.”

“I was looking, with Anthony and Jesse out, to get Mason in but unfortunately he has got an injury as well so we won’t be able to blood him either, which is unfortunate for the boy.”

“Angel [Gomes] and Chongy [Tahith Chong] have been training with us, and they have been doing well, so they might be involved in that game.”

It’s a huge blow for United to lose two key players for such important games against Chelsea and Liverpool as Lingard and Martial have been regular starters since Solskjaer came in as Jose Mourinho’s replacement back in December.

Juan Mata, Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku will now vie for starting spots alongside Marcus Rashford in attack as Man Utd head in to two games which could define their season in the FA Cup and Premier League.