Man Utd team news: Solskjaer hoping for triple injury boost for Brighton clash

Manchester United will look to get back to winning ways in the Premier League when they take on Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

The Red Devils booked their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League with a 3-0 victory over Partizan Belgrade on Thursday night but the win came at a cost as Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay both picked up knocks.

McTominay suffered an ankle injury after being caught by a late challenge in the second half. The Scottish international tried to run it off but was eventually replaced by Jesse Lingard in the 75th minute.

Maguire pulled up in pain during the second half but was able to complete the full ninety minutes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident the centre-back will be fit to face Brighton this weekend.

McTominay’s injury was initially deemed the most serious and Solskjaer told reporters immediately after last night’s game that he wasn’t sure if the midfielder would recover in time to take on the Seagulls on Sunday despite the player insisting he would be ‘fine’.

Solskjaer told ManUtd.com last night:

“I think Harry will be okay. He finished the game anyway. Scott is more of a concern, so let’s see how he recovers in the next few days.

“He said he was going to be okay out on the pitch and he said ‘I’ll be fine’. He’s tough, but he had to come off. But I hope he’ll recover for Sunday, but I don’t know. Inside of his ankle. I think he went over on his ankle.”

Solskjaer has now provided a further update on McTominay and the Man Utd boss is now more hopeful that the midfielder will be passed fit to start against Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday.

In another boost for the Red Devils, Solskjaer is also hopeful that Victor Lindelof will be back in contention after missing the Partizan Belgrade game with a minor back injury.

When asked if any of his injured players will be available this weekend, Solskjaer told ManUtd.com:

“Hopefully Scott. Hopefully Victor as well, but I don’t know because he hasn’t trained this week. It’s his back.”

Solskjaer gave no mention of Luke Shaw so it appears unlikely the left-back will make his return from a hamstring injury this weekend while Axel Tuanzebe, Paul Pogba, Eric Bailly and Tim Fosu-Mensah also remain on the sidelines.

Ashley Young will also miss the visit of Brighton this weekend due to suspension after accumulating five yellow cards this season so youngster Brandon Williams could come-in at left-back on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester United head into the weekend action sitting 10th in the table – 10 points off the top four – following their defeat to Bournemouth last week so Solskjaer will be desperate to get back to winning ways in the league.