Manchester United will be without the services of Paul Pogba and David de Gea when they take on Southampton at the St Mary’s.
With Manchester City and Arsenal winning their respective matches on Tuesday, Manchester United now have no chance of making it into the top four. They have flirted with fourth place all season, but will not be ending up there.
However, all hope is not lost as they have a Europa League final against Ajax to look forward to next week. Should they win that, the Red Devils will return to the Champions League after a one year absence.
Thus, the match against Ajax will have heavy bearing on Jose Mourinho’s team selection for the two league games that United still have to play – even though they can’t finish any higher or lower than sixth place.
Eric Bailly will miss the Europa League final and will be therefore be omnipresent in the remainder of the Red Devils’ league matches this season. The Ivorian played out of position against Spurs last week, but could slot into a centre-back role versus Southampton.
Paul Pogba missed United’s trip to White Hart Lane, and will sit the game out against Saints as well. The Frenchman lost his father a few days before the Tottenham match, and will not take the field on Wednesday.
Speaking to the press ahead of the game, Mourinho said,“I don’t think Paul has the conditions to play; we will let him be completely free to come back when he thinks he is ready to be back.”
Samuel Luckhurst of Manchester Evening News, revealed a few days ago, that number one goalkeeper David de Gea has not traveled with the team, and will not play on Wednesday against Southampton.
Mourinho revealed that Sergio Romero will play in the Europa League final, but the Argentine will now also play in the Premier League in the stead of Spain’s first-choice shot stopper – who may have played his final game for the club, given the persisting rumours.
Antonio Valencia and Daley Blind have also not made the trip to the south coast, with Jose wanting to give the likes of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones ninety minutes under their belt.
The Portuguese said, “[Martial] didn’t play against Celta because the options were different but he is fine and he is one of the guys that it is very important for him to play 90 minutes. Smalling, Jones, Mata – it is very important for them to play 90 minutes.”
Midfielder Marouane Fellaini scored the all important goal that sent United into the Europa League final, but has missed the last three league games through suspension. Mourinho has confirmed that he will return to the side to feature against Southampton.
Youngsters Kieran O’Hara, Demetri Mitchell and Scott McTominay have all traveled with the team, and could feature on Wednesday.
