Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial face race against time to be fit for Man Utd’s heavyweight clash against Liverpool on Sunday.
The duo picked up injuries during last week’s Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in his press conference before the FA Cup game against Chelsea, stated that the pair could be out for “two-to-three weeks.”
However, recent reports suggested that the duo could return for the game against Liverpool on the weekend.
The game between the two sides will be of huge significance as Liverpool are among the favourites for the title race this season. Manchester United reached the top four only in the last Premier League game week and would aim to retain their place with a win over their arch-rivals.
My line up vs Liverpool:
Degea
Young Smalling Lindelof Shaw
Pogba Herrera Matic
Mata Rashford Sanchez
If Lingard and Martial are not fit #MUFC
— One Love (@abbausmanUK) February 20, 2019
Solskjaer has mimicked Fergie a lot and United fans must hope he does with Lingard’s and Martial’s injuries. Ferguson said the day before #mufc played Bayern in 2010 Rooney had ‘no chance’ of playing. He then started the game.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) February 15, 2019
A win for Liverpool would see them go to the top of the table, over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Manchester United, meanwhile, provided an early update on Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial for the match, and it’s not a positive one. The club, on its official website, confirmed that the duo may not feature against Liverpool.
“Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may still be without Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial for Sunday’s Premier League match against historic rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford,” read the statement on the club’s official website.
Solskjaer earlier stated that their absence could last two to three weeks.
“I don’t think we will see them in the next two games,” Ole told the media last Friday, during the pre-match interaction for the FA Cup tie against Chelsea. “Let’s hope they heal quickly, but it looks like they might be out for two or three weeks.”
#mufc fans have been absolutely magnificent tonight, singing non-stop, going through the song-book, Terry, Ronaldo, Mata, everybody, utterly dominating the airwaves. Endless support for Solskjaer too. #CHEMUN
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) February 18, 2019
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has to be given the job. He understands the culture and DNA of this club as good as anyone and has the potential to lead us for the coming years. Why spend £50m bringing in an outsider? You’re not going to find a better fit for THIS job than Ole. #mufc
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) February 18, 2019
David De Gea is expected to return to the goal after Sergio Romero was rock solid against Chelsea in the FA Cup tie. Marcos Rojo is also close to returning to full fitness, but unlikely to feature against Liverpool.
Solskjaer will address the media ahead of the game on Friday where he will provide more information on the injured duo.
