Eshlin Vedan
Jose Mourinho has opened up on the injury crisis that we face ahead of our crucial Champions League clash against Sevilla.
David De Gea is set to return to action after being rested for the FA Cup game against Huddersfield. For the game against the Terriers, Mourinho was forced to add youngsters Ethan Hamilton and Angel Gomes to make up the numbers on the bench as we went on to record a 2-0 win at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Paul Pogba was also absent from the game against Huddersfield amidst reports that his relationship with Mourinho has broken down. Pogba, who has not been in the best of form recently, is said to be unhappy with Mou for playing him out of position. Mou meanwhile insists that Pogba is being played in his best position and it is the player’s fault that he is not finding form.
Mourinho was speaking ahead of our game against Sevilla and said (as quoted by Independent),
“I didn’t rest one single player, so we had every player available here,” the United boss said after winning at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday.
“I brought two kids (Ethan Hamilton and Angel Gomes) that played 90 minutes yesterday (for the under-23s) because I don’t have another player.
“Can we recover some of them for Wednesday? I believe so. (Marcus) Rashford, (Ander) Herrera, (Antonio) Valencia, I think they have a chance. Paul (Pogba), I don’t know.
Mou said that Jones and Rojo were unlikely to make the game against Sevilla which means that Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly who only returned during the game against Huddersfield, are the fit centre-backs.
He added: “Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Marouane (Fellaini), Zlatan (Ibrahimovic) – I don’t think they have any chance, so we arrive at this crucial moment with some problem.
“But I think mentality is very important. And we have a strong team, strong bonding, strong team mentality. We know it is a very difficult match – but we go for it.”
After the game against Sevilla, we play against Chelsea four days later in a Premier League clash. Though the Blues have been in bad form this year, they could move level on points with us if they do manage to win the game.
