Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed Manchester United duo Eric Bailly and Jessie Lingard will be ruled out for ‘a few weeks’ as his squad prepare to face Chelsea.
Bailly and Lingard both missed United’s midweek victory over Paris Saint-Germain in Paris and have both picked up knocks that make them unavailable for a congested fixture schedule.
However, there was positive team news provided by the United boss on Friday morning as he revealed there are no fresh injury concerns after the PSG clash and Harry Maguire and Mason Greenwood could both return this weekend.
“No, there is nothing that we’ve struggled with after the game,” Solskjaer told MUTV, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
“Of course, there’s tiredness of the travel and little aches and pains but I think everyone should be ready for the weekend.
“We’re still hoping Mason and Harry can be available in the squad. Of course, we have a training session today [Friday], so they’re going to have to go through that. Eric won’t be available. Jesse won’t be available so we’ll manage without them for a few weeks I think.”
It’s obvious that Bailly and Lingard are not currently considered essential players in Solskjaer’s squad and the Reds have the depth to cope without them for the time being.
Axel Tuanzebe was outstanding on his surprise return after a 10-month injury layoff and will surely be included in some form against Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Donny van de Beek has been exceptional in substitute appearances but is still yet to make his first start in the Premier League.
Van de Beek provides great cover across midfield and attack and will be far more effective than Lingard in Solskjaer’s system.
We will hopefully see the Dutchman make his first league start against Frank Lampard’s Chelsea.
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