News: On The Sidelines - The 2017/18 Injuries & Suspensions Thread

Not sure what that means. Waiting until the last minute to announce Pogba is fit maybe? I bet Fellaini returns for Chelsea but maybe Pogba is getting close.

 

Fellaini and Rojo have been travelled with the rest of the squad to London. Not sure it means they'll be on the match day squad, but it has to be a good sign they're both right there, ready to come back.

 

Early November, 2017.

 

The latest on our injured players (with finally some good news).

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-injury-news-pogba-13864925

 

The best part about that interview was the Mourinho called Fellaini a "creative player". I'm not seeing it, unless Jose considers throwing elbows an art form.

 

Jose gives Smalling and Herrera the week off to rest.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-news-mourinho-herrera-13864969

In other news, Matic will not be going with Serbia to the Far East and play in their games vs China and South Korea. If there is a player who needs the rest, it's definitely him.

 

What about Lukaku?

 

Lukaku has been selected by Martinez but it's likely he will not be playing a major role in their games, as he might be tempted to experiment, fingers crossed.
The other players on intl duty are: Lindelof, Darmian, AY, Rashford, Lingard, Jones, Martial, Dave, Romero and Blind.
Timmy has been a late call up for Holland as well.

 

Pogba is no longer training on his own (with the U23 team) and could be ready to return next week vs Newcastle.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/paul-pogba-manchester-united-training-13881128

 

Some more good news on the injury front: Carrick and Rojo both have been spotted training with the U23 team this week (with Pogba). Carrick's absence, while it has gone more under the radar, was ultimately keenly felt and he's another player who has been dearly missed as well. Having him back to spell Matic in midfield will be very important (and welcome) as well.

 

Philly had to come off England's game vs Germany due to an injury. Could be a groin injury by the looks of it, but let's hope it's precautionary more than anything else and it's nothing serious...

 

We have the most fragile back line of all time.

 

During the game Jones had a lot of strapping on his thigh which ties up with Mou saying he has been playing through an injury.

Compare to all the City, Chelsea & ‘pool players who turned their backs on England with minor injuries ...

Hopefully will mean something when it comes to WC selection time.

 

Newcastle appears too soon for Pogba's return.

www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/11/13/paul-pogba-close-man-utd-return-unlikely-feature-against-newcastle/

 

Germane to this thread is a reference to our upcoming fixtures:

11/18 Newcastle
11/22 @ Basel
11/25 Brighton
11/28 @ Watford

Four matches in 10 days, but all very manageable even for a significantly weakened United side. A nice target date to get Pogba back on the pitch is 11/28 to prepare him for Arsenal away 12/2, an opponent we probably can't beat without him. But if he's ready before then even better.

 

Jones is optimistic he'll be ready for Newcastle.

www.theguardian.com/football/2017/nov/14/phil-jones-optimistic-playing-manchester-united-weekend-newcastle-calf-injury

With the presence of viable options for Jones, there's no need for him to come back lest he's 100%.

 

Hopefully that's just posturing by Jose, he has been training with the reserves and hopefully trains with the first team when everyone is back from break. He may not start but hopefully will make the bench.

 

I wouldn't push Jones if there's even a scintilla of a doubt on his fitness. Smalling can do a job. Based on reports of Lindelof's solid play for his country I might even give The Iceman a vote of confidence against the Toon. I'm not a fan of the Iceman but he's here so let's use him in situations like this.

 

Whether he's ready for Newcastle or not, at least, Pogba appears to be very close to coming back. Would love him to come off the bench also to start building his match fitness back up, but if he's not fully ready,we've waited this long anyhow.
A little concerned about the pitch in Basel if reports are to be believed and would rather keep him out of there, as he'd still have 2 more games vs Brighton and Watford before Arsenal.

Edit: It looks like Rojo is going to make his unofficial comeback tomorrow in a friendly games with the U23 team, according to reports.

 

Rojo reports confirmed.

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/man-utd-injury-news-rojo-13903005

Excited about him coming back tbh, especially if he can regain his form of last season at CB.

 

Not referring to you, Ashur, but we were advised here by another poster that it would be impossible for Rojo to be back on the pitch by November. Simply impossible. The usual foam-in-the-mouth stuff to back it up, to boot.

 

Apart from the reports last week that he was back training with the U23s, haven't see anything more about Carrick yet. Wonder when he'll be able to return...

 

Rojo is targeting the CL game vs CSKA next month to complete his comeback.

www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/11127208/marcos-rojo-targets-manchester-united-return-in-champions-league

 

So that would mean roughly 8 months since surgery. Earlier than I expected but certainly not 6 months like some asshat here predicted.

Still, I'd be surprised if he's match fit by then. I'd still guess it'll be more like late December/early January before he's back in contention for selection again. He may be in shape but hes far from match sharp.