MX23RW : Friday, April 19 11:28:32| >> :60:2206:2206:
[monks data]
Attendance: 73,689
Manchester United logo
Premier League | Gameweek 5
Sep 14, 2019 at 3pm UK
 
Leicester logo

1-0

Rashford (8' pen.)
FT(HT: 1-0)

Manchester United facing injury crisis ahead of Leicester clash

Manchester United facing injury crisis ahead of Leicester clash
© Reuters
Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial among seven players that could miss Saturday's match through injury.

Injury-hit Manchester United could be without seven first-team players against Leicester, with Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial among those ruled out by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Returning to winning ways against Brendan Rodgers' in-form side at Old Trafford looked a tough enough task without a lengthy injury list that threatens to derail their afternoon.

Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Eric Bailly remain sidelined, while Martial continues to be laid low with a thigh issue and Pogba has yet to recover from an ankle injury.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jesse Lingard are doubts after withdrawing from the England squad with a back complaint and illness respectively, leaving Solskjaer with a selection headache.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, left, may be without Aaron Wan-Bissaka on Saturday
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, left, may be without Aaron Wan-Bissaka on Saturday (Mark Kerton/PA)

"Well, the treatment room's been busy and still is," the United manager said. "So, we don't really know who is going to be available.

"There's maybe Aaron, maybe Jesse and I think maybe that's it from the ones that had to pull out, but I can't promise those two will be available either.

"Leicester is always a tough game as a team, a club wanting to push into the top four. They've got good players, a very good manager, a proven top manager.

"So, Brendan's teams always play good football and we know we've got to play well to deserve the three points."

  • Paul Pogba
  • Anthony Martial
  • Luke Shaw
  • Diogo Dalot
  • Eric Bailly
  • Aaron Wan-Bissaka (doubtful)
  • Jesse Lingard (doubtful)

Pogba's absence looks a particularly big blow for United given the ongoing question marks over the midfield.

Only Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has created more chances in open play this season than the World Cup winner, who pulled out of the France squad with an ankle issue sustained in the 1-1 draw at Southampton before the international break.

"Pogba won't be fit, no – unless he's had a miraculous recovery overnight from yesterday to today or maybe from tonight until tomorrow," Solskjaer said.

"He's not been ready to do 100 per cent training, no. We hope more can be ready for West Ham next week, and Paul and Anthony are in that category.

"I think they'll be ready for then and can't say more than that, really."

It certainly looks like David De Gea is in for a busy afternoon – a player who continues to be the subject of speculation as contract extension talks drag on.

"I want David to stay here," Solskjaer added. "He knows that and David's, for me, the best goalkeeper in the world.

"We've seen that over the years, and I hope that I can make sure that he'll finish his career at Man United at the highest level.

David De Gea is yet to sign a contract extension at Old Trafford
David de Gea is yet to sign a contract extension at Old Trafford (Mark Kerton/PA)

"And hopefully... there's been loads of talks, loads of discussions between David and the club and hopefully we can get it done."

Keeping it tight at the back will be key and Harry Maguire will be desperate to keep his former club at bay.

Saturday's match will be the first time the 26-year-old has faced former club Leicester since completing his £80million summer switch to United, becoming the most expensive defender in history.

"I think he's been brilliant," Solskjaer said. "I think he's come into the dressing room, been a leader, he's also obviously a leader on the pitch. You can see that.

"I'm sure he's looking forward to playing against his old team, but now he's here, he is going to be a big part of the future of this club.

"That's why we know so much about Leicester as well because we watched him enough to know that he's the guy we wanted, that's why we spent the money we did on him. Leicester didn't want to lose him."

Asked if he is a potential United captain, the United manager said: "He's definitely a character and personality that can be captain of a big club, yeah.

"In the dressing room he's a leader both by performances, presence, stature and behaviour. He's a character you'd say you'd like to follow. Some are technical leaders, some are leaders by voice, and he's got the lot, really."

ID:371258: cacheID:371258:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:11068:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Paul Pogba smiles after Manchester United's latest defeat on May 12, 2019
Read Next:
Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial missing for United
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
2Arsenal32225575264971
3Liverpool32218372314171
4Aston Villa33196868491963
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham33139115258-648
9Chelsea31138106152947
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32127134651-543
12Fulham33126154951-242
13Bournemouth32119124757-1042
14Crystal Palace3289153754-1733
15Brentford3388174758-1132
16Everton3298153248-1627
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3379174258-1626
18Luton TownLuton3367204670-2425
19Burnley3348213368-3520
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3237223084-5416


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!