Patrick Rees
Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has handed a huge injury boost ahead of the Saturday’s derby clash against Manchester City.
The midfielder suffered the injury during the Red Devils’ victory over Hull City and the manager then stated that he will be out for a while, and the 28-year-old missed Belgium’s 2-0 defeat to Spain last week but then featured for 84 minutes in their 3-0 victory over Cyprus on Tuesday night.
Fellaini has been a surprise addition to the squad, as many believed that Mourinho might not favour him, but the Portuguese has shown a real faith and the 28-year-old midfielder has played every single minute for the new manager and has cemented his place in the starting XI by surpassing Ander Herrera, Morgan Schneiderlin and Michael Carrick.
Besides Fellaini, the manager has other injury issues as well, as their young left-back Luke Shaw was withdrawn from the England squad before their World Cup qualifier with Slovakia with a muscle problem, although manager Sam Allardyce said he expected the 21-year-old to be fit. Furthermore, the new acquisition Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also a doubt for the fixture as he picked up a thigh problem during Armenia’s 3-0 defeat to Czech Republic and returned to Carrington early for treatment.
The 27-year-old Armenian, who collided with opposition defender Marek Suchy and was replaced in the first half, is yet to start a game for Mourinho but has featured as a substitute. He said:
“Not sure yet if I’ll bit fit for the derby but I’m motivated as ever to put all energy to be in great shape asap.
“Hard work and professionalism have always been at the heart of what I love most – football! Thanks for sending me your love and support.”
Antonio Valencia, Marcos Rojo and Sergio Romero will be assessed when they return from internationals in South America.
