Tomorrow sees Manchester United in UEFA Europa League action at AZ Alkmaar, with the Red Devils missing a host of first team players and significant contributors. Midfielder Paul Pogba has now re-aggravated the foot injury that he suffered in late August, right before the first international break.
The Frenchman returned to the team last week, and saw action in the narrow win over Rochdale in the EFL Cup. However, the club issued the following statement on Pogba’s fitness today:
“Following a specialist’s opinion, Paul Pogba requires a period of further rest and conservative treatment for the foot injury he sustained during the game against Southampton in August. Updates will follow in due course.”
United will also be without long term absentees Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial, who haven’t seen action since the draw with Southampton. Central defender Phil Jones and right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka are also out, with clarity now emerging on the latter’s illness.
Turns out it’s tonsillitis that’s currently sidelining AWB.
United took all three points from their first UEL group stage clash (FC Astana) and will look to do so again here. As the season has progressed, it’s looked more and more like United’s best shot at getting back into the Champions League lay with winning this tournament.
Manchester United vs AZ Alkmaar UEFA Europa League FYIs
Team News, Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Kickoff: Cars Jeans Stadium, The Hague, Thursday Oct 3, 5:55pm
TV: BT Sport 2 in the UK
Referee: Gediminas Mazeika
Prediction: United 2, Alkmaar 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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