Man United deliver mixed injury news ahead of Chelsea fixture
Premier League
By
Mirror
| Feb 28, 2021
Manchester United will have to make do without Scott McTominay when they take on Chelsea in Sunday's afternoon fixture.
The Scot, who has been heavily relied up on by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in midfield this season, was also absent for United's Europa League draw Real Sociedad on Thursday.
It means the United boss will likely call upon former Blues midfielder Nemanja Matic to fill that holding role alongside Fred, with Bruno Fernandes just in front.
Elsewhere, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani are still both sidelined having struggled with recent issues.
There is, however, more positive news for United. Donny van de Beek should return to the squad after sitting out of the last couple of fixtures.
And Daniel James, who has hit a patch of form, may recover from a tweak in time for Sunday's clash.
"Donny trained today and he felt okay after training so hopefully [there is] no reaction," Solskjaer told the club's website.
"So he should be with us. It was just a tweak [for Dan]. I need to give him until Saturday or even Sunday so, hopefully, he can shake it off, but I’m not sure.
"They [Pogba and McTominay] are out. They’ve not trained, Edinson hasn’t trained yet, so I wouldn’t be too optimistic about that, but miracles can happen."
United sit some way off City in the title race but this season remains their best chance of winning it in years.
Chelsea, however, are aiming to return to the top four following a surge in form after the appointment of Thomas Tuchel.
Solskjaer isn't taking the clash lightly and knows what his side must do to come away with points.
“You can see in the results, stats and possession they’ve had, the ability to keep teams away from their own goal, he’s done really well," Solskjaer said of Tuchel
"It is never easy coming into a season halfway through and he must be pleased as well, but hopefully we can stop that run.
"That’s my job now."