Manchester United
England Professional football club could be without seven key players for this weekend’s English Premier League crunch clash with Arsenal, with the entire first-choice back-line set to be absent for the Red Devils.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Manchester United’s highly-anticipated home game against Arsenal kicks off at 12. 30 p.m. on Saturday.
Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling are sure to miss the tie with injuries, while Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw are major doubts for the fixture.
Following the injury crisis, Jose Mourinho has called for a review of the team’s medical facilities, with his team languishing in sixth spot after 11 games.
A loss against Arsenal for Mourinho’s men, his first against Arsene Wenger in the league, would be a massive blow to their chances of coming back in the title race.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be absent following a suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Swansea City.
Marouane Fellaini is recovering from a calf injury while Wayne Rooney missed England’s games in the international break following a setback on the injury.
The striker is a doubt for the weekend clash and will be assessed on Friday before a decision is taken on his fitness.
Meanwhile, Antonio Valencia is back in training for the Red Devils, but may be short for the game against Arsenal, while Shaw has reported pain in the leg that he broke last season.
Phil Jones is set to return to the first eleven and is likely to be partnered by Daley Blind at the back, who has previously been used at left-back in the absence of Shaw.
A loss for Mourinho would open up a nine-point difference with the Gunners, who are currently two points adrift of Liverpool at the top of the table.
United have already lost 4-0 to Chelsea and 2-1 to Manchester City this season and will be desperate to avoid another defeat against a top four rival this time around.
