Solskjaer's team news update for Chelsea clash
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that midfielder Ander Herrera could be available to feature against Chelsea on Sunday.
However, ahead of our crucial game against Chelsea this weekend, the boss said Herrera could be in line to return.
“[There are] three games left of the season and Ander has been training, he's been enthusiastic,” Ole told the assembled media in his press conference.
“He'll probably be involved. I think he's fit enough to be involved on Sunday. I can't guarantee it, because there's still two days left, but he's trained the last two days.”
The return of the midfielder would be a welcome boost against the Blues - and he even found the back of the net when we last faced Maurizio Sarri's team, during our 2-0 Emirates FA Cup fifth-round victory in February.
Ole also faced questions about another Spaniard on Friday morning, when he was asked whether he had considered dropping David De Gea on Sunday.
“No. Not at all,” the Norwegian responded. “I trust David and he's, for me, been the best player United have had in the last six or seven years. He's been absolutely outstanding and going through tough patches is just part of a footballer's career. David will be fine, no worries.”
While De Gea is set to feature at the weekend, one man whose involvement is unclear at the moment is Scott McTominay, who missed Wednesday’s loss to Manchester City.
“Scott failed a fitness test on Wednesday morning, so he’s going to have another one today [Friday] probably to see if he’s available,” the boss exclusively told MUTV.
HOW ABOUT CHELSEA?
Chelsea could be without influential midfielder N’Golo Kante for Sunday’s game. The World Cup winner picked up a rib injury in the 2-2 draw against Burnley on Monday, which forced him to be withdrawn at half-time.
It is unclear whether he will be fit enough to feature against the Reds but, should he miss out at Old Trafford, his spot is likely to be filled by either Matteo Kovacic or Ross Barkley, who could feature in a three-man midfield alongside Jorginho and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Speaking at his weekly press conference, Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri said: "We are trying to recover Kante but I am not sure at the moment."
The Italian also revealed that Antonio Rudiger is available again after the defender missed the Burnley clash on Monday.
However, one man who will sit out the trip to Manchester is exciting young talent Callum Hudson-Odoi. The winger was replaced against Burnley through injury and, on Wednesday, he had surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon, a problem which it appears will rule him out for the remainder of the 2018/19 campaign.
"The operation of Callum went in the right way. He will be back here in one or two days. He needs time now. Callum is a very young man, physically and mentally. I am sure he will be able to return better than before," Sarri said on Friday.
With star man Eden Hazard likely to start, the Chelsea manager could turn to Pedro or Willian to fill the void created on the other flank by Hudson-Odoi’s omission. Gonzalo Higuain was the lone striker against Burnley and could be deployed in a similar role on Sunday.
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