Jose Mourinho will be without just four first-team players when Manchester United visit the Vitality Stadium to take on Bournemouth on Saturday
Manchester United will be hoping to continue their ascent up the Premier League table, when they lock horns with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday. While the match will be a tricky one for the visitors, Jose Mourinho will be buoyed after receiving some good news on the injury front.
The Manchester United boss is now left with just four first-team players on the sidelines. The only position that poses some minor problems is the right-back slot, with both Antonio Valencia and Diogo Dalot still not fully fit, leaving Ashley Young as the only viable option.
Mourinho spoke on the situation that Valencia finds himself in during his pre-match press conference, iterating that the Manchester United captain has had a setback in his recovery from knee injury, “The only one that went one step behind was Antonio Valencia with some problem in his knee.”
Based on recent performances, the back four picks itself, with Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw joining Young in the defensive unit that will provide cover to David de Gea. In midfield, there are two more absentees, with the game against Bournemouth coming too soon for Marouane Fellaini and Scott McTominay.
But, with Fred delivering an impressive performance last weekend, Mourinho does not have much of a concern, as far as personnel in the middle of the park is concerned. The Brazilian has earned himself another start, and should join Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic in the midfield trio.
Meanwhile, the Manchester United attacking unit is at full strength, with Alexis Sanchez and Jesse Lingard now fully fit. Mourinho pointed towards the duo’s recovery as well, saying that they are raring to go against Bournemouth on Saturday.
“Lingard and Alexis, now I can say ‘ready’. We work tactically, we improve some fitness levels. We improve some of the players that were almost there but not there – Lingard, Alexis – these kind of players, that were already available but not yet at a good level. We trained with our kids too, mixed with us on one of the days, which is an amazing feeling for them. A good week.”
Sanchez looks the likelier of the two to return to the starting lineup, with Lingard being named among the substitutes. Anthony Martial is a certain starter, occupying the left flank. The bone of contention remains the focal point of the Manchester United attack, a responsibility which should be bestowed on Marcus Rashford once again, with Romelu Lukaku struggling to perform at his best.
