Manchester United’s defence for Saturday’s home game against West Brom will look a lot different from their last time out against Middlesbrough.
Jose Mourinho faced the press this afternoon, ahead of his side’s next Premier League outing, and he had an apology for departed midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger. He also had some bleak injury news.
Everton were not the only side to lose two players to injury over the recent international break. Mourinho confirmed Phil Jones and Chris Smalling both have “long-term” injuries.
It is highly unlikely that either of the players – injured on England duty – will feature again this season. Mourinho said:
“I think clearly the two English boys are long-term injuries and [Paul] Pogba I have no idea.”
Add in the suspensions for both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera and United are up against it as they head to the league run-in. United are currently fifth in the league standings but have two games in hand on fourth place Liverpool.
Mourinho can also steer his side back into the lucrative Champions League by winning the Europa League.
United started both Smalling and Jones in the 3-1 victory over Middlesbrough, on April 19. Here are the fit defenders left in United’s senior squad:
Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Luke Shaw, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian, Axel Tuanzebe, Ashley Young.
This is how Mourinho could line out against WBA.
