Manchester United team news vs Chelsea (A)
Manchester United currently have six players who may not be fit to face Chelsea on Sunday afternoon, but manager Jose Mourinho has hinted that the number of players who miss the game at Stamford Bridge could lessen between now and kick-off.
United go into the game against Chelsea with a four point advantage on their opponents in the Premier League, but could be without Jesse Lingard as well as longer-term absentees Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini, Paul Pogba, Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Lingard was substituted during the Red Devils’ 2-0 win over Benfica in midweek after picking up a heavy knock and it is uncertain as to whether or not he’ll be fit in time to face Chelsea.
Mourinho said of his options on Thursday (via manutd.com):
I have to wait a little bit
Normally, the press conference is a bit later in the week, we still have Friday and Saturday [to come]. I’m not very optimistic, but I don’t want to lie.
I don’t want you to say that I told a lie when I said there’s no chance of recovering — so I prefer just to say two more days to confirm my expectation.
The tone of Mourinho’s comments suggests that Jesse Lingard, being the one who is supposedly closest to fitness, may not be the only player who might return against Chelsea.
This means of course, that we could well see the long-awaited return of French midfielder Paul Pogba when the Red Devils take to Stamford Bridge; he has been sorely missed in the United side and it is hoped that his return will be a real injection of energy and creativity.
Chelsea are also hoping for the return of a key man in the middle of the park: Pogba’s international team-mate N’Golo Kante, who has also been out with a hamstring injury.