Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho addressed the media a couple hours ago, ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup Final against Chelsea, and you already know what the very first question was about- Romelu Lukaku.
United’s leading scorer is still recovering from an ankle injury that has kept him out of the past three games. He returned to the club’s training ground on Tuesday, after having gone to his native Belgium for treatment. Lukaku faces a very late fitness test that won’t be decided until kickoff tomorrow.
“We wait until the last moment,” Mourinho told the media.
“I don’t want to lie to you and say he doesn’t play and then plays, so Lukaku we have to wait.”
Mourinho did confirm however that Anthony Martial is fit to play after the Frenchman missed the season ending win over Watford with a knee injury. Martial, coincidentally was snubbed last night, as he got left off of France’s World Cup roster.
Injury and Fitness Report for both teams: go to this link
United Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Chelsea Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Antonio Conte Press Conference Video: go to this link
Prediction: United 3, Chelsea FC 2
This will be a clash between two managers with tremendous self-confidence, and extremely high ambitions. The history of personal acrimony between the two bosses only serves to make this contest even more competitive. With Chelsea boss Antonio Conte likely on the way out, it appears that Mourinho will have the finer edge for this blockbuster match, and thus we’re pegging him to guide his side to victory.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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