Jose Mourinho facing defensive crisis as problems mount for Manchester United manager in countdown to Arsenal's visit
Jose Mourinho is facing another major defensive headache ahead of Wednesday’s crucial league game against in-form Arsenal as the problems continue to mount for the embattled Manchester United manager.
United could be without as many as eight defenders for the visit of Arsenal to Old Trafford as they bid to close an eight-point gap to the north London club in fourth.
Mourinho chose to play midfielders Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic in defence in Saturday’s disappointing 2-2 draw at Southampton, with Phil Jones his only match fit centre-half.
But Jones is now undergoing a scan on an injury sustained in that game, Luke Shaw had to come off after sustaining a second-half injury and Ashley Young’s fifth booking of the season means he will miss the Arsenal match through suspension. Sweden defender Victor Lindelof, meanwhile, was already sidelined until Christmas.
Mourinho will hope central defenders Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling, who missed the Southampton game with back and foot problems respectively, and full-backs Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian – who were also absent with knocks – are able to declare themselves available or risk having to improvise with his back line again.
It could mean a first Premier League start for teenage summer signing, Diogo Dalot, and equally a first start of the season for Marcos Rojo, who was an unused substitute against Southampton after a torrid time in his battle to regain fitness in the wake of a succession of injury woes.
Mourinho has problems at the other end of the pitch, too, with Alexis Sánchez ruled out until the new year with a torn hamstring and strikers Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford both limping out of the Southampton game. Mourinho said he was confident Rashford would be fit to face Arsenal, though.
United’s injury woes come at a time when relations between Mourinho and his squad are under further strain.
Mourinho is reported to have torn into his players during an expletive-strewn 10 minute rant at the Hilton Ageas Bowl in Southampton on Saturday morning, when he questioned their attitude.
The Portuguese then ripped into Paul Pogba after the game, accusing the midfielder of being a “virus” who infects the rest of the team during an astonishing dressing room rant.
