Manchester United facing injury crisis ahead of Leicester clash
Injury-hit Manchester United could be without seven first-team players against Leicester, with Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial among those ruled out by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.Returning to winning ways against Brendan Rodgers in-form side at Old Trafford looked a tough enough task without a lengthy injury list that threatens to derail their afternoon.Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Eric Bailly remain sidelined, while Martial continues to be laid low with a thigh issue and Pogba has yet to recover from an ankle injury.Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Jesse Lingard are doubts after withdrawing from the England squad with a back complaint and illness respectively, leaving Solskjaer with a selection headache.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, left, may be without Aaron Wan-Bissaka on Saturday (Mark Kerton/PA)Well, the treatment rooms been busy and still is, the United manager said. So, we dont really know who is going to be available.Theres maybe Aaron, maybe Jesse and I think maybe thats it from the ones that had to pull out, but I cant promise those two will be available either.Leicester is always a tough game as a team, a club wanting to push into the top four. Theyve got good players, a very good manager, a proven top manager.So, Brendans teams always play good football and we know weve got to play well to deserve the three points. Paul PogbaAnthony MartialLuke ShawDiogo DalotEric BaillyAaron Wan-Bissaka (doubtful)Jesse Lingard (doubtful) Pogbas absence looks a particularly big blow for United given the ongoing question marks over the midfield.Only Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne has created more chances in open play this season than the World Cup winner, who pulled out of the France squad with an ankle issue sustained in the 1-1 draw at Southampton before the international break.Pogba wont be fit, no unless hes had a miraculous recovery overnight from yesterday to today or maybe from tonight until tomorrow, Solskjaer said.Hes not been ready to do 100 per cent training, no. We hope more can be ready for West Ham next week, and Paul and Anthony are in that category. Sounds like @Daniel_James_97 could be set for a very brief appearance on Saturday#MUFC #MUNLEI pic.twitter.com/1GqN6q58LB Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 13, 2019I think theyll be ready for then and cant say more than that, really.It certainly looks like David De Gea is in for a busy afternoon a player who continues to be the subject of speculation as contract extension talks drag on.I want David to stay here, Solskjaer added. He knows that and Davids, for me, the best goalkeeper in the world.Weve seen that over the years, and I hope that I can make sure that hell finish his career at Man United at the highest level.David De Gea is yet to sign a contract extension at Old Trafford (Mark Kerton/PA)And hopefully theres been loads of talks, loads of discussions between David and the club and hopefully we can get it done.Keeping it tight at the back will be key and Harry Maguire will be desperate to keep his former club at bay.Saturdays match will be the first time the 26-year-old has faced former club Leicester since completing his 80million summer switch to United, becoming the most expensive defender in history.I think hes been brilliant, Solskjaer said. I think hes come into the dressing room, been a leader, hes also obviously a leader on the pitch. You can see that.Ole on @HarryMaguire93: "He's been brilliant. I think he's come into the dressing room, been a leader, he's also obviously a leader on the pitch, you can see that." #MUFC pic.twitter.com/36JUTeZljn Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 13, 2019Im sure hes looking forward to playing against his old team, but now hes here, he is going to be a big part of the future of this club.Thats why we know so much about Leicester as well because we watched him enough to know that hes the guy we wanted, thats why we spent the money we did on him. Leicester didnt want to lose him.Asked if he is a potential United captain, the United manager said: Hes definitely a character and personality that can be captain of a big club, yeah.In the dressing room hes a leader both by performances, presence, stature and behaviour. Hes a character youd say youd like to follow. Some are technical leaders, some are leaders by voice, and hes got the lot, really.(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){
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