Of all the players who will be out for Manchester United in the long-term, midfielder Juan Mata is the closest to making return. That’s what United Manager Jose Mourinho said Thursday night. Following the goalless draw in the Manchester Derby, Mourinho met the media for two “sessions” that were combined into one.
First he did Q&A in regards to the derby, and that was released immediately to the public. Then came the session which was embargoed until Friday- the Swansea City preview discussion.
We have both for you here below.
Mata has missed the last eight games after undergoing surgery to repair an injured groin but said earlier this week that he believes he will play again this season. Mourinho insists though that the team needs a healthy center back more however. Though they have an injury crisis in midfield, the injury crisis in the back line is even worse.
“I think the first one to come back is Mata, which will give us another option in attack, but in reality what we need now is one of the two centre-backs to be back,” Mourinho said.
Here’s the post Man City session video:
“We arrive in an extreme situation where, I think it must be unique in football, where we have two cruciate ligaments in the same match (Ibrahimovic and Rojo in the win over Anderlecht in extra time). In my career I had one in 17 years. One cruciate in 17 years. And now, against Anderlecht, I have two. In one match.
“We are very unlucky is the only thing we can say,” he continued, alluding to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo being out for the season.
“Smalling and Jones were (injured) with the English national team, training. So maybe it’s a blessing, an opportunity to make the team stronger, maybe it’s an opportunity to make them mentally stronger. Maybe it’s a blessing, so let’s see if they can come back.”
Here below is the Swansea City preview session:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khvCg20xguw
Jose Mourinho even made a joke that he might have to suit up for this one. Later he also promised some summer transfer window signings, so he’s re-assuring fans that reinforcements are on the way
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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