Jose Mourinho could be without six first-team players as Manchester United prepare to host CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Manchester United will be looking to end the UEFA Champions League Group Stage on a high, by clinching top spot in Group A, when they host CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Ahead of the tie, Jose Mourinho iterated that he will make a few changes to his side, by resting a few regulars.
Two players who are set to start are Paul Pogba and Sergio Romero. But, Nemanja Matic will miss the game due to injury, although it is likely that he is being rested with one eye on the derby. Mourinho confirmed the same in his pre-match press conference, while also adding that a few changes are on the cards.
“We have problems, we have injuries. [Nemanja] Matic is injured and when I say he is injured, he is injured. I am not going to make him play tomorrow so Matic is out. A couple of others guys are playing every match and they also need a rest. More importantly, the others deserve an opportunity to play.”
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On the topic of Pogba, he said, “Of course, he’s a bit tired because it was a huge match at the weekend and just two days to recover for CSKA. But he’s very happy to play and to try to keep his momentum because since he was back from injury, he’s been phenomenal.”
Mourinho also confirmed that the likes of Eric Bailly (groin), Marouane Fellaini (knee), Michael Carrick (calf) and Phil Jones (thigh), although the latter is back in training. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss the game as well, but the Manchester United boss is expecting the Swedish striker to be back on Sunday.
“Zlatan needs sometimes hard work on the muscular area that supports the knee. And when the period for that hard work comes, also the fatigue comes. He was on this cycle of work, divided between the gym and the pitch. He will be out again tomorrow but I believe back to normal work after CSKA.”
“All the other players that didn’t play the last match are still out,” he said, before mischievously adding when asked about Carrick, “I can make a surprise tomorrow and the one that is unavailable, he plays.”
Finally, Mourinho also confirmed that Luke Shaw will be in his matchday squad, and is in contention to feature. “He’s working to have an opportunity and sooner or later, the opportunity will arrive. Because he deserves that opportunity. Selected for tomorrow, yes, for sure. To start or to be on the bench, I cannot answer.”
As far as the visitors are concerned, Viktor Goncharenko will be without Pontus Wernbloom and Bibras Natcho, who are serving a one-match ban, while Georgi Schennikov (ankle) and Aleksei Berezutski (calf) are on the treatment table.
