Ralf Rangnick will be keeping his fingers crossed for some injury returns this weekend as Manchester United head to Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Having knocked Steven Gerrard’s side out of the FA Cup on Monday, United will head to Villa Park on Saturday in the league as they look to get their top four aspirations back on track.
Whether they’ll be at full strength for the trip is another matter though, after some big names were forced to sit out of Monday’s 1-0 victory.
Harry Maguire and Phil Jones both missed out as Victor Lindelof returned for his first game in a month, while Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo were also sidelined and played no part in the game.
Here’s the latest on the injury front ahead of Saturday’s game at Villa Park.
Harry Maguire
The defender has missed United’s last two games through injury, although he has had plenty to say on the current situation at Old Trafford after holding crisis talks with Rangnick and his team-mates.
Maguire though could be ready to return at the heart of the defence at Villa, with Rangnick hopeful he will be fit again for the weekend.
Possible return date: January 15
Phil Jones
Having impressed on his long-awaited return to the side against Wolves, a quad problem came at the worst possible time for Jones on Monday.
The defender was forced to sit out the cup game, when he could have been in contention to start again and further his cause for a more regular place in the side.
Like Maguire though, Rangnick has suggested Jones will be back for Saturday — although he might find himself back down the pecking order.
Possible return date: January 15
Jadon Sancho
The winger missed out on Monday’s win over Villa after suffering hamstring issues ahead of the cup tie.
Sancho had been due to be in the squad, but Rangnick chose not to take the risk, although the 21-year-old could be back for the trip to Villa Park.
Possible return date: January 15
Cristiano Ronaldo
Hearing Ronaldo had to sit out Monday’s win will no doubt have had a few United fans concerned, although the Portuguese star’s problem doesn’t look to be too serious.
The 36-year-old had been having some issues with his back in the lead-up to the cup tie, with Rangnick electing not to take any risks, but he could be back for Saturday.
Possible return date: January 15
Paul Pogba
The wait for Pogba’s return goes on, with Rangnick suggesting United could be waiting a little while longer than first expected.
The midfielder has been missing since picking up a thigh injury while on international duty with France in November.
With Rangnick revealing it could be another four or five weeks before we see him back, there are concerns over how many more games Pogba will play for United, with his contract running out in the summer.
Possible return date: February
Suspensions
Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay will both miss the trip to Villa Park after picking up their fifth bookings of the season, with both set to return for the Brentford game on January 19.
Elsewhere, Eric Bailly is on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, with the Ivory Coast beginning their tournament this week.
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