Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba, is a doubt for Arsenal’s visit on Monday in the Premier League, while Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial have been ruled out of the game.
Pogba, who returned for United in their penalty shootout win over Rochdale in mid-week in the Carabao Cup since the 1-1 result against Southampton in the league earlier this month, suffered a knock on the ankle, according to coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The 26-year-old did not take a penalty in the shootout victory, and did not also attend a team bonding dinner following the game.
The Norwegian said: “The situation is he finished the game, which is fantastic but he got a knock to his ankle which is very swollen.
Read Also: World’s Oldest Barber Dies At 108
“It was better for him not to go there (to the dinner) with the team and he’s in a race, I would guess, for Monday.”
For the availability of Martial and Rashford, who are struggling with thigh and groin complaints respectively, Solskjaer added: “I wouldn’t put my life on it, no.
“That’s part of this game, you work with what you have.”
Solskjaer believes having a number of his forward-thinking players sidelined in recent weeks can be attributed to their lack of goals.
The Red Devils opened their league campaign this season with a 4-0 trouncing of Chelsea, but the attackers have only scored four more goals in five matches since then.
“Going forward that’s where we’ve struggled with injuries; Paul, Anthony, Marcus, we’ve had some bad luck in that respect.
Read Also: R-E-V-E-A-L-E-D: Why I Dumped Fatoyinbo – ‘Spiritual Father’
“It’s about building relationships and that doesn’t help when you lose players because these boys need to get their patterns of play, work with it and get used to it.
“If you’re half a second earlier in your movement, it’s so much easier.
“Sometimes the finishing could have been better, it’s frustrating when you’ve got massive chances and you don’t take them. But that’s also down to some outstanding keepers out there,” he added.
The absence of the duo could provide an opportunity for teenager, Mason Greenwood, who scored the winner in the Europa League win over Astana last week and, was also on target for United against Rochdale.
Asked whether the 17-year-old is in contention to start up front against the Gunners, Solskjaer said: “He might be.
“He’s proven when he has been on the pitch in the last two games he’s started against Astana and Rochdale, when you get him in the box he’s dangerous.
“What’s pleased me about him in the period that we’re in is he doesn’t turn down chances to finish. When you’re not 18 yet and keep trusting yourself, he gets the chances. I’m not worried about him at all.
“We’ve managed him. We can’t just throw him in at the deep end all the time so he’s proved in those games he’s ready for it. I’ll have the weekend to think about it.”
But the former Molde coach gave a bit of good news on the injury front regarding left-back, Luke Shaw, who returned to training on Friday, after a month out with a hamstring.
“He’s getting there. Let’s see how he reacts to the next couple of days, he’s been working really hard.
“We hope to see him before the international break, maybe Monday. I’m not too sure but maybe,” Solskjaer further said.
