Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has provided a positive fitness update ahead of Manchester United’s FA Cup third round clash against Reading. The gaffer has confirmed both Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku are fit to start.
United registered their fourth consecutive victory against Newcastle United and both Lukaku and Sanchez contributed in the win. Lukaku opened the proceedings with his first touch and later Sanchez laid a delightful ball to Marcus Rashford who sealed the three points with an exquisite finish.
The caretaker manager does have a selection headache as both Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo are unavailable due to injury problems. Eric Bailly is currently serving a three match ban so the gaffer might have to unleash Victor Lindelof and Phil Jones again to marshal the backline.
Solskjaer said, “Rojo [and] Smalling – they’re out.
“I’m not sure if Paul [Pogba] is going to be ready for this one. He got a knock against Newcastle and hopefully Fellaini will get through the training session today and then we’re more or less a full squad. There’ll be a few changes and they’ll get a chance. Some of them are itching now to play, of course. Get Lukaku a start, get Sanchez a start. That’s important for them, because they need more game time.”
“[There are] no injuries to be concerned about
“Obviously it was Wednesday night [against Newcastle] and it’s Saturday morning [against Reading] so there will be a few changes. Many of them have played four games on the bounce and are feeling the Christmas period so there might be a couple of changes, or maybe a few more, but we’re ready for Reading.
“Definitely, players will get the chance. When they’re here, they’re good enough to play for Man United and you trust them, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
