Questions remain over the fitness of Chris Smalling after Monday’s FA Cup win at Shrewsbury, while star turn David de Gea will again be missing in goal.
Advertisement
Manchester United were right up against it for tonight’s Europa League clash with FC Midtjylland. The publication also claims the only reason Louis van Gaal is still Red Devils boss is because the board would have to shell out €12.5m (£9.8m) to sack him now.
Van Gaal has been under vast pressure this season, especially after United were eliminated from the Champions League in the group stages.
This is no doubt an invitation to Manchester United letting them know where he wants to be next season.
Van Gaal confirmed that United will be without first-choice goalkeeper David de Gea on Thursday, but long-term injury absentee Marcos Rojo is likely to feature for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery in November.
But he’s technically sound and tactically disciplined – two of the reasons Van Gaal likes him so much.
That has led to speculation over the Dutchman’s future with ex-Chelsea manager Mourinho, who was axed from Stamford Bridge before Christmas, heavily linked to succeeding Van Gaal.
Earlier this month sources told ESPN FC that Mourinho is increasingly confident he will be United manager next season, and asked in Singapore this week whether he will take over at Old Trafford, the Portuguese replied: “That’s the one million dollar question”.
Van Gaal is hoping the criticism levelled at his players after the first-leg defeat at Midtjylland will not affect them as they bid to overturn the deficit on home soil. The big story involves the biggest club, with Manchester United trying to avoid the embarrassment of not advancing. “Also, “hungry” and a lot of times I use the word “horny”.
They enjoyed 75 percent of possession against an outclassed Shrewsbury team that had only three goal attempts all game.
After that comes Sunday’s visit of Barclays Premier League title challengers Arsenal. I think the performance was very good, I said that already at half-time to my players.
Advertisement
United are 2-1 down going into Thursday’s last-32 second leg, with Van Gaal saying the Danish visitors will have “the match of their lives”.
