Jose Mourinho has hinted that both Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard will be available to start Sunday’s Premier League clash with Brighton.
Lukaku was brought on during the second half of United’s 2-1 win over Leicester last weekend after returning to training a few days ahead of schedule, but Lingard sat out the Premier League opener as he had only just returned from his post-World Cup holiday.
United went into the game without Antonio Valencia, Diogo Dalot, Marcos Rojo, Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic because of injury and Mourinho does not expect any of them to be available for the trip to the Amex Stadium.
However, he is confident his World Cup stars will be better placed to help the team and has hinted that both Lukaku and Lingard could start.
“I think we will have the same players (as against Leicester). I think the injured players aren’t going to be back for Brighton,” Mourinho told the club’s official website.
“What we have is Paul (Pogba) with nine days’ training, (Marcus) Rashford with 11 days’ training, (Marouane) Fellaini with nine days’ training and, of course, they will be in a better condition.
“Normally, these boys that (against Leicester) were in a difficult situation will be ready to give a bit more [against Brighton] – more (Romelu) Lukaku, more Rashford, probably Lingard coming back, more Fellaini. I think normally we’re going to have more.”
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho praised “monster” Paul Pogba after he captained the side and scored the opening goal in the win over Leicester City on the first day of the Premier League season.
Pogba – linked with Barcelona this summer – was a surprise starter only four days after his return to training, having won the World Cup with France just under a month ago.
The hosts made a flying start at Old Trafford, winning a penalty in the second minute when Daniel Amartey handled Alexis Sanchez’s deflected shot.
Pogba stepped up and, after a typically nonchalant slow run-up, placed the ball in the top-right corner above Kasper Schmeichel.
Left-back Luke Shaw then scored the first senior goal of his career after controlling Juan Mata’s aerial pass to double their lead.
Substitute Jamie Vardy headed a late consolation for Leicester after Ricardo Perreira’s cross had hit a post, and Foxes goalkeeper Schmeichel came forward for an injury-time corner but his header went wide.
Pogba lasted 84 minutes before being replaced by Marouane Fellaini, but Mourinho said he did not expect the Frenchman to play for so long.
“Pogba was a monster,” said the United boss. “We thought maximum 60 minutes but he managed over 80.
“The decision belonged to Paul. I asked him and he made himself available and he was very good.”