Man Utd injury update: McTominay out, Solskjaer responds to video of Pogba playing basketball

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have given an injury update ahead of Manchester United’s trip to Sheffield United on Sunday.

Scott McTominay has been ruled out for a couple of weeks, therefore, is set to miss the game this weekend and against Astana in the Europa League.

“Scotty he hurt his ankle and so he will be out for a couple of weeks,” Solskjaer told the press (via Manchester Evening News). “We’ve lost Rojo, he’s injured, Paul still injured, but we’ve got Axel [Tuanzebe], Luke [Shaw] and Nemanja [Matic] back in training so we’re looking forward, we’re getting numbers back. Maybe not match fit, Axel and Luke, Nemanja have been out for a long time. But numbers in training we’re stronger.”

It’s a bonus to have Tuanzebe back in contention again and the news will have Victor Lindelof looking over his shoulder. The young English centre-back is potentially a better fit to partner Harry Maguire but he needs more game time before anyone comes to that conclusion.

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The biggest concern going into Sunday’s game is our midfield. If Nemanja Matic starts alongside Fred, the Blades could prove tricker to break down than they would if Scott McTominay was available.

Solskjaer may even give young James Garner a start beside the Brazilian.

The manager responded to a question on when will Pogba be back, saying, “He had another test and scan just at the start of the international break and it’s not healed up yet. Stepping up the recovery so he doesn’t have to have a cast on, he’s out for six or seven weeks you do lose loads of muscle so he’s gradually now stepping up — walking on the treadmill, biking. It’ll still be a few weeks. 

“We hope to see him in 2019, yeah.”

Solskjaer was also asked about footage of Pogba playing basketball which appeared online during the international break. He said: “Did I say last press conference, we don’t play basketball. I don’t see many basketball players tackling ankles twisting and turning with studs, he’s not ready to train, no.”

There was another update on Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah, who have both been in the treatment room for some time:

“Tim and Eric have had knee injuries and been out for a long time. Stepped up their recovery, not joined with team but not far away. Rojo got a muscle injury in training he’s been struggling with. He’s not ready yet, so he was playing on with some discomfort towards the end of that run so maybe a couple of weeks.”

More Stories Axel Tuanzebe Marcos Rojo Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Paul Pogba Scott McTominay Sheffield United