Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said Manchester United will miss Marouane Fellaini’s ‘X factor’, with the midfielder set to spend up to a month on the sidelines with a calf injury.
The Belgian has played just 31 minutes since Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho as United manager last month, having signed a two-year contract extension last June.
Fellaini was not included in the matchday squad for last weekend’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur and Solskjaer has now ruled him out of the meeting with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
“He’ll probably be at least three or four weeks, he’s got a calf problem and that’s sad,” the Norwegian said.
Despite not starting Fellaini in any of his six games in charge so far, Solskjaer hailed the midfielder’s ‘X factor’ and claimed he still had a part to play in United’s season.
“There’s X factor in different players and we all know Felli’s X factor and then again he’ll be working hard to get back in when all the big games are coming as well.”
Solskjaer is hopeful that Alexis Sanchez will be available for Brighton’s visit but Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo remain out of contention.
“There’s not many issues,” the United caretaker said regarding team news. ”I think just small niggles as there always is at this point of the season.
“Chris and Marcos just started running lightly so not fit yet. Alexis has trained all week so hopefully he’ll be available and Felli is the long-term one that’s out. He’ll be out for a few weeks.”
Sanchez has been limited to just two appearances under Solskjaer so far after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury in the FA Cup third round win over Reading.
“I know how frustrating that can be and how eager you are to get back,” Solskjaer said. ”Maybe in the Reading game at half time, he should have told me to come off because the next 15 or 20 minutess were a setback.
“But he’s champing at the bit in training. His attitude has been fantastic in training and I’m looking forward to seeing him. I’ve got loads of good players to choose from.”
