EARLY TEAM NEWS: UNITED V SAINT-ETIENNE
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed Marcos Rojo is fit to face Saint-Etienne in Thursday’s Europa League Round of 32 tie at Old Trafford, although Phil Jones, Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney are all unavailable for selection.
Rojo was substituted at half-time of the 3-0 Premier League win at Leicester City, while Jones has not featured since picking up an injury during the 0-0 draw with Hull City at Old Trafford on 1 February.
Experienced campaigners Carrick and Rooney, meanwhile, are not ready to return to action but the manager is reluctant to describe the pair as injured due to the simplicity of their seperate issues.
Asked for an update on the squad by MUTV on Wednesday, the manager said: “Marcos Rojo is totally recovered. We protected him at the weekend and now he is totally recovered. Carrick and Rooney, they appear with little things. I am not saying injuries because I don't think we are speaking about injuries, but little things that I think are going to keep them out of the match tomorrow.”
Later, in the pre-match press conference, Mourinho started with a question about injuries and stated “Phil is still recovering from the injury” and is therefore unavailable to face The Greens.
The manager also confirmed he will retain the back four that started the 2-0 win against Watford the weekend, when asked by one reporter if Luke Shaw might feature on Thursday night.
"He's not playing tomorrow, because my team is playing well and I am happy with my back four," Mourinho said. "I am going to repeat Valencia, Bailly, Smalling and Daley Blind."