Manchester United have been boosted with the return of several first team members ahead of their clash against Swansea City.
Manchester United will face off against Carlos Carvalhal’s Swansea City at the Old Trafford on Saturday as they look to strengthen their hold on the second place in the Premier League.
Jose Mourinho’s side have accrued 65 points from 30 games this term and sit 16 points below league leaders Manchester City. While the title is well beyond their reach, Manchester United will be hoping to stave off any threat from the clubs below and hold on to their runners-up spot.
Ahead of the game, manager Mourinho revealed in his press conference that goalkeeper Sergio Romero is ruled out for a few weeks after picking up an injury during the international break. United have also been boosted by the return of defender Phil Jones and midfielder Ander Herrera, while Marcos Rojo is also fit again and played for Argentina earlier this week.
David De Gea will line up in goal for the Red Devils, hoping to keep his 16th Premier League clean sheet of the season. Antonio Valencia will once again captain the side and will take his rightful spot on the right-side of the back four. Eric Bailly has been rock solid since his return from injury and will once again start in the heart of the defence and is likely to be paired up with England international Chris Smalling.
The left-back spot is up for grabs, with veteran Ashley Young likely to miss out due to a knock he picked up on national duty with England last week.
“Ashley Young had a problem in the last part of the game against Italy, but we think there is a chance for him to recover,” Mourinho said in his interview.
This development could see Luke Shaw start once again at left-back, after being publicly criticized by the manager a fortnight ago, when the 22-year old was subbed off at half-time against Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup.
Another player who has found himself in the bad books of Jose of late, Paul Pogba could be set for a recall in the midfield, after his splendid display for France against Russia earlier this week. He will be partnered by Serbian powerhouse Nemanja Matic in the two-man midfield pivot.
Juan Mata, who was not involved with Spain during the international break, should be given the nod on the right-flank against the Swans, while rising star Marcus Rashford is likely to start out on the left-wing. And academy product Jesse Lingard is set to start as the No.10 for the home team. That would mean January signing Alexis Sanchez misses out once again, after not starting against Brighton last time out.
Leading the line for United against the Swans will be star striker Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian forward will be chasing his 100th Premier League goal, when he takes the field on Saturday.
