Jose Mourinho is all set to reinstate David De Gea in goal as Manchester United host Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday in the Premier League.
Manchester United host Chelsea on Sunday at Old Trafford in an all-important fixture for both the sides. Chelsea have Tottenham breathing down their neck while Manchester United must win in order to keep their top-four ambitions alive.
However, the Red Devils are in some distress regarding the squad, with the central defence looking incredibly stretched due to the injuries to Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, who are both set to return not before ‘Mid-May’, the manager confirmed in his press conference.
Juan Mata, on the other hand, will not return before the end of May and is confirmed to be out for the remainder of the present campaign. David De Gea, though, who missed the last Premier League fixture is set to be reinstated in goal, despite strong displays from Sergio Romero.
Chelsea are the only rival to have a winning record over Manchester United in the Premier League… pic.twitter.com/58UzTnyTqQ
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Mourinho highlighted his frustration at the situation surrounding the centre-back positions while also lamenting on the fact that he has no other choice but to push the likes of Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly to their limits.
“There is nothing I can do [about the current defensive situation]. They [Bailly and Rojo] have to go until the limits. There is no other choice. We don’t have any other central defenders. They have to go. There is no other chance.
If we arrived in a situation in the Premier League, I hope not, where mathematically the top four is not possible, then it’s an easy decision. Rest them and go with them in the Europa League – if we are still in the competition.
But, in this moment, we are in this situation where we have two matches in hand and if we win both matches, we are in the top four. We have to fight for every game, so it’s amazing mentality by Eric and by Marcos, but we have to go.”
Mourinho would be itching for revenge after the humiliating loss in the Premier League to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season. A win here would serve two purposes, as it would blow the title race wide open while also cementing United’s chances of gaining a place in the top four.
