Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer expects to have a similar squad for the game at Everton as he did for the midweek Champions League clash with Istanbul Basaksehir. United are on Merseyside for an early 12:30 GMT kick-off on Saturday.
This weekend’s Premier League encounter is the last fixture before an international break, everybody is keen to pick up a positive result, for Ole it’s very important to avoid consecutive three losses before the break. And he needs to win the game to avoid any speculation about his potential sacking.
The manager is confident that his players are feeling equally ready to respond against Everton, and says they are used to dealing with the slings and arrows that come with playing for United.
“You have to be mentally strong. There are demands on a Man United player, a coach, or a manager, There’s also an expectation, because we are at the best and the biggest club in the world. You don’t expect to have anything but criticism then. It’s just how you deal with that setback. From what I’ve seen from the boys, they’ve been very focused since we’ve come back and [are] ready to give a response.”
“Today has been a bright day and the boys are ready for a reaction, We’re all hurt and it’s never easy or enjoyable to lose two on the bounce. That’s football and you’ve got to react.”
According Ole, Victor Lindelof will be monitored after an ongoing back issue , while Brazil international Alex Telles has returned to training after his enforced lay-off due to a positive COVID-19 test. Jesse Lingard is also closing in on full fitness.
Anthony Martial is available again following his domestic three game suspension, and David De Gea is expected to return in goal after Dean Henderson played against Istanbul Basaksehir. Eric Bailly and Phil Jones are both sidelined due to injury.
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We’ve not lost any [players] from the Istanbul trip,Same group, same squad.
Alex has started training with us, which is good. Victor has still got the issue that he’s been struggling with. He’ll have to be checked tonight [Friday] in the hotel.
It’s the same squad as before Istanbul really.”
Everton TEAM NEWS :
Everton are optimistic that captain Seamus Coleman could return ahead of schedule and play in defence. With Lucas Digne’s suspension cut to one game, making the Frenchman available, both regular full-backs may be available again to Carlo Ancelotti.
James Rodriguez is ready after being rested as well, and Jordan Pickford has been promised a return in goal. “I talk to him every day this week,”
said Ancelotti. “We laugh, we are together. He knows what he has to do tomorrow.”
Brazilian forward Richarlison remains suspended. However, Andre Gomes, Mason Holgate, Tom Davies, Ben Godfrey would all seem available but ex-Manchester City man Fabian Delph is absent.
“We have practically all the squad available apart from Richarlison and Fabian Delph, who had a little problem, and is out for a few days,”
confirmed Ancelotti on Friday afternoon.
