Solskjaer's update on Pogba, Cavani and Martial

Friday 19 March 2021 13:30

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hopes to select Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial in Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup quarter-final against Leicester City.

The boss held his pre-match press conference in the aftermath of Thursday’s Europa League victory over AC Milan at San Siro, where Pogba returned from injury to score the winning goal.

Our influential no.6 replaced Marcus Rashford – who was taken off as a precaution - at the start of the second half and he was excellent throughout his 45-minute comeback, making an instant impact with a low finish after 48 minutes before oozing class against a talented AC Milan team.

Asked if Pogba will be fit enough to play in this weekend’s FA Cup tie against Leicester City, the manager told journalists: “We’ll have to see how much he can play. I’m not sure if he can play 90 minutes or if he can start, but you see the impact he can make if he comes on as a sub.

“If he feels okay, maybe we can start him as well. We have to see who the runners and riders are after tonight. It’s a long travel, we’ll be late back, so we’ll see. I hope he’s ready to start.”
Ole's pre-match press conference Video

Ole's pre-match press conference

Hear the boss's thoughts ahead of our FA Cup quarter-final clash with Leicester on Sunday...

Solskjaer also spoke about Cavani, who was forced to pull out of the squad that travelled to Milan after suffering a slight setback at the Aon Training Complex on Wednesday. 

“We haven’t really got to the bottom of it with Edinson,” said Old. “He’s worked really hard and is joining training sessions and towards the end of training sessions when he needs to chop it up and feel 100 per cent ready for the game and he hasn't really gotten there yet. 

“So, it's down to him. He wants to be 100 per cent when he joins in. He doesn’t want to come in and look off the pace, so hopefully he can be ready for Sunday but I'm not sure either, because after the training yesterday he felt something that he couldn’t travel with us.”
Martial was another notable omission from the group that travelled to Italy, but the striker has been included in France’s squad for the upcoming international break. Solskjaer has no problem with that and hints the no.9 might return at the King Power Stadium this weekend.

“Not concerned at all,” he said. “I just want Anthony fit. Same with Paul. We just want them to go and play. They’ve missed too many games. This was a hip injury he got against AC Milan a week ago, we hoped he was going to be ready for West Ham and then he couldn’t make that one. 
Highlights: Milan 0 United 1 Video

Highlights: Milan 0 United 1

See how the Reds clinched qualification to the Europa League quarter-finals, courtesy of Pogba's fine goal...

“Then he was close to getting fit for this one [against AC Milan]. He couldn’t make it but hopefully he can make Sunday [against Leicester]. I’m not sure because he’s not reacted how we hoped. He’s working hard to get the treatment, in the pool, light work and everything to get ready. That’s the pleasing thing. He’s just wanting to get fit and I think it will benefit him going to France and playing.”

David De Gea and Donny van de Beek could also be options for the boss after the pair were named among the substitutes in Milan. Meanwhile, Phil Jones and Juan Mata remain out though injury.

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