Latest team news: Rooney, Young and David de Gea
- James. M
- Apr 13, 2017
- 2 min read
Jose Mourinho did provide an update regarding players available ahead of the crunch Europa League tie against Belgian League leaders Anderlecht.
Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, the boss didn't rule out the captain to return against Chelsea on Sunday at Old Trafford but had a reason to omit him from the traveling squad citing the player's unhappiness over his own fitness.
He told reporters,"He’s trying to work, which he does, but he’s not confident, he’s not happy. "He has bad feelings with his ankle and he’s not ready to play. Let’s see for the weekend, let’s see for next week. We don’t have many players and need everyone to try to be available. For tomorrow, no."
Like Rooney, in-form right back Antonio Valencia has been missing for the last two games but he's expected to have recovered from fatigue to feature tonight. Ashley Young also took part in training on Wednesday morning as did David de Gea who has recovered from a hip problem that kept him out at Sunderland.
However, the United number 1 is expected to be named on the bench with Sergio Romero taking his place after keeping yet another clean-sheet at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Eric Bailly and Ander Herrera remain one booking away from a European suspension. They'll have to be particularly careful against the free flowing Anderlecht forwards.
Mourinho is expected to field a very strong lineup to get a good result to bring back home ahead of next week's return leg. He knows a thing or two about today's opponents.
"They are a good team and have a certain way of playing, adapted to the qualities of their players," he said. They play well, press well and have talented players. I think we have to play at our best level. "We have that second leg as a possible protection, but tomorrow it’s important to play well – if we don’t we put ourselves in a difficult situation. When a team arrives at this stage of the competition, everyone feels it’s possible [to win it]. The motivation is high for everyone."
Whoever lines up today will have to be on top of their game but the boss will have to make do without the services of longterm injuries Juan Mata, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling.
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