Manchester United waiting on fitness key player ahead of Chelsea clash
The Red Devils will have at least seven players unavailable for Sunday's Premier League game
Manchester United are monitoring Christian Eriksen’s fitness ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Chelsea at Old Trafford.
The Danish midfielder has been a standout performer for the Reds this season, tallying four goals and three assists in just 11 appearances.
However, Eriksen missed Ruud van Nistelrooy’s debut as interim head coach – a 5-2 Carabao Cup fourth-round victory over Leicester City on Wednesday – due to an injury.
Eriksen played 79 minutes in United’s last Premier League outing against West Ham before being replaced by Joshua Zirkzee after picking up a knock.
Academy prospects Jack Fletcher and Jayce Fitzgerald provided midfield depth on the bench midweek, but van Nistelrooy remains optimistic about having his No. 14 available for the upcoming match against Enzo Maresca’s Blues.
“Not many changes,” Ruud replied when asked about possible alterations to the squad from the Foxes encounter.
“We’re still hoping and working hard to get Christian Eriksen part of the squad.
“He’s working hard to make it in the last moment.
“And other than that, there’s no news on players that will be available, any other than [Wednesday].”
As it stands, Man United will have at least seven players unavailable for their upcoming match, with Antony being the latest addition to the injury list.
Other players missing include Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, and Leny Yoro.
Meanwhile, in Chelsea team news, Enzo Maresca has been heavily rotating his starting XI for cup competitions, making 11 changes for Wednesday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Newcastle.
Noni Madueke was the only substitute from the nine available to be introduced, while Cole Palmer remained unused.
Maresca explained that Palmer’s absence was due to the positive performances of Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku in attack.
“Simply because I think Joao [Felix] and Christo [Nkunku] were doing very good,” he said.
“The reason why [we brought him] was in case we needed Cole but Joao and Christo were doing well so there was no need to change.”
Jadon Sancho was absent from the squad due to illness and is ineligible for Sunday’s match, as Premier League rules prohibit players from facing their parent club.
Omari Kellyman is dealing with a hamstring strain and will have to wait to make his debut with the Blues.
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