The Premier League season kicked off with a win over Leicester for United, who saw a major chunk of players missing due to injury and lack of match fitness. With a trip to Brighton up next, United manager Jose Mourinho has given some team updates.
The Manchester United boss says that there could be a possible return for Romelu Lukaku and Jesse Lingard to the starting XI on Sunday.
Lukaku played a part in the win over Leicester last week, coming off the bench in the second half. Lingard on the other hand, was missing from the squad due to a lack of match fitness.
"Lingard, Matic & Valencia are training with the team since yesterday. Fully fit but not yet ready to play or be selected I think. Some of the other boys are in better condition."
Jose Mourinho with the team news ahead of the Brighton game. #MUFC #BHAMUN pic.twitter.com/A1LzayTMWJ
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) August 17, 2018
The England international played a vital role for his country at the World Cup and according to the manager, needed a little breather to get things going again.
Mourinho told the club’s official website that the team would be pretty much similar to the one that started against Leicester, but returns for Lukaku and Lingard were hinted by the manager. When asked about team updates, Mourinho said:
“Normally, these boys that [against Leicester] were in a difficult situation will be ready to give a bit more [against Brighton] – more Lukaku, more Rashford, probably Lingard coming back, more Fellaini.
I think normally we’re going to have more.”
These words from the manager could be huge for the club’s morale as more reliable faces are set to come back in. United suffered a 1-0 loss away to Brighton last season and would be looking to turn the tables this time and avenge the loss from last time. The squad would be a lot better once the more familiar faces come back in.
For now, the fans and the manager would hope to see off the games and get maximum points off them before the big tests start kicking in. United are heavily relying on Paul Pogba to perform as the Frenchman was given the armband last week and he didn’t disappoint.
The same would be expected from Lukaku and Lingard. Once the performances become better and the injured players are back, it could make life a lot easier for Mourinho and co.
