Manchester United boss José Mourinho has ruled defender Phil Jones out of the Reds’ Premier League clash against defending champions Leicester City on Sunday.
The 24-year-old limped off in the early stages of the second half during United’s goalless draw with Hull City on Wednesday night, and although Jones said afterwards that he expected to be fit ‘in a few days’, he has now been ruled out with a bruised foot.
Mourinho also said that left-back Luke Shaw is fit and available for selection, despite missing out on a place in the squad for the draw against the Tigers. Shaw made his return from injury during last weekend’s FA Cup fourth round victory against Wigan.
The other injury-enforced absence for United will be third-choice keeper Joel Pereira, who is expected to be ruled out for the next couple of weeks due to an apparent knee injury.
As a result, Dean Henderson was recalled from his loan with League Two side Grimsby Town today to provide goalkeeping cover for David de Gea and Sergio Romero.
Twitter: Mourinho confirmed Phil Jones is ‘injured’. Said Luke Shaw is fit despite missing out on a place in the squad against Hull. (@RobDawsonMEN)
During the pre-match press conference, Mourinho was asked where Wednesday’s result left United and discuss the challenge of facing the defending champions, who are close to being embroiled in a relegation battle.
The United boss responded:
In the same position we were before that [Hull] game. We didn’t get the three points we wanted so it’s as simple as that. Every draw we deserved a victory, but the reality is the points and we lost two points.
It’s a very difficult match for us and I think also a very difficult match for them. But total respect for what they did and total respect for the change of life they are experiencing. I think next season will be much better for them again.
