Saturday 02 November 2024 10:00
Manchester United are waiting on the fitness of Christian Eriksen ahead of Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Chelsea at Old Trafford.
The Dane has impressed in the Reds’ midfield this season, registering four goals and three assists in 11 appearances, but missed out on Ruud van Nistelrooy’s debut match as interim head coach – Wednesday’s 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup fourth round – due to injury.
Eriksen played 79 minutes in our last top-flight fixture, at West Ham, but was substituted for Joshua Zirkzee after picking up a knock.
Academy pair Jack Fletcher and Jayce Fitzgerald filled in as midfield options on the bench in midweek, but van Nistelrooy is hopeful he can have our no.14 available for the visit of Enzo Maresca’s Blues.
“Not many changes,” Ruud replied when asked about possible alterations to the squad from the Foxes encounter.
“We’re still hoping and working hard to get Christian Eriksen part of the squad. He’s working hard to make it in the last moment.
“And other than that, there’s no news on players that will be available, any other than [Wednesday].”
That means United will still have at least seven players missing, with Antony the most recent addition to the list.
Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro are also out.
Part one: Press conference v Chelsea Video
Part one: Press conference v Chelsea
Press conference part one | Interim head coach Ruud answers questions on our future and a big game against Chelsea…
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
Enzo Maresca has been heavily rotating his starting XI for the cup competitions and he made 11 changes for Wednesday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Newcastle.
Noni Madueke was the only one of the nine substitutes to be introduced, as Cole Palmer was unused, with Maresca explaining this was due to positive performances up front from Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku.
“Simply because I think Joao [Felix] and Christo [Nkunku] were doing very good,” he said. “The reason why [we brought him] was in case we needed Cole but Joao and Christo were doing well so there was no need to change.”
Jadon Sancho was not included, due to illness, and he is ineligible for Sunday’s game as Premier League rules dictate that players cannot face their parent club. Omari Kellyman has a hamstring strain and will have to wait to make his Blues debut.
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Saturday 02 November 2024 10:00
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