Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, is facing an injury crisis ahead of Thursday’s Premier League clash against their rivals, Manchester City.
The club’s medical department is monitoring Ander Herrera’s fitness, after he hobbled off at Turf Moor on Sunday. Mourinho has already expressed his doubts over record signing, Paul Pogba.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo both suffered knee ligament damage against Anderlecht last week and are out of the season.
Juan Mata is also out till next season with a groin problem, while Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have missed the last seven games with knee and toe problems respectively.
Mourinho has encouraged the pair to try and play, to ease the burden on Eric Bailly and Daley Blind, his only two fit senior centre-backs.
“If I was Smalling or Jones, I would play Thursday, with anything, I would,” Mourinho said after their 2-0 win over Burnley on Sunday.
“I wouldn’t accept one guy to play nine matches in a row because I am injured. I would do a last push.
“If they have a crazy mentality like I have, they would [play on Thursday]. If they are safe thinking and they are surrounded by people with the same mentality they have, it is more time, more cautious. If it was me, nobody would stop me to play.”
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