Manchester United trained on Monday afternoon ahead of their final Champions League group stage fixture against Russians CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho’s side saw their qualification for the knockout stage delayed when they lost 1-0 at Basle a fortnight ago but will advance assuming CSKA don’t win by four goals on Tuesday night.
Considering United thrashed their opponents 4-1 in Moscow on matchday two, this prospect seems highly unlikely and United are expected to top Group A with five wins from six.
Paul Pogba trains on Monday afternoon ahead of Manchester United’s final Champions League group fixture against CSKA Moscow
Zlatan Ibrahimovic did train at Carrington but won’t play any part in Tuesday night’s match
Jose Mourinho’s side need a point to ensure their qualification to the last-16 on Tuesday night
Striker Romelu Lukaku and defender Chris Smalling share a joke during training on Monday
Juan Mata jogs during training as United prepare for their meeting with the Russian side
Paul Pogba trained at Carrington and he is still eligible for European competition despite the three-match suspension he received for stamping on Hector Bellerin’s leg in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Arsenal.
The French midfielder, who has been excellent for United this season, will miss this Sunday’s crucial derby with Manchester City, as well as the subsequent Premier League fixtures with Bournemouth on December 13 and West Bromwich on December 17.
Europe offers one final, welcome distraction for United, who continue to trail City by eight points at the top of the Premier League, a lead they realistically need to cut on Sunday afternoon to remain in title contention.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic did train but won’t feature against CSKA because he has been spending time in the gym to complete his rehabilitation from a cruciate knee ligament injury.
Jose Mourinho says Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not be involved against CSKA Moscow
Ibrahimovic has ‘fatigue’ as he comes back from injury, says the Manchester United manager
Paul Pogba will play, having been sent off in the 3-1 win at Arsenal at the weekend
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Mourinho said: ‘Zlatan needs sometimes to work very hard on the muscular area that supports the knee that had the problem, and when the period for that hard work comes, also the fatigue comes.’
Nemanja Matic will also not be involved in Tuesday’s game.
Mourinho said: ‘We have problems, we have injuries. Matic is injured and when I say he is injured, he is injured. I am not going to make him play so Matic is out.’
Nemanja Matic will not be involved in Tuesday’s game, where United need only a draw
As a result, Sergio Romero will replace David De Gea in goal, and Mourinho suggested Luke Shaw could make a rare appearance.
He said: ‘I’m going to make a few but not too many changes. We didn’t qualify yet and I need to keep a certain balance in the team – but when you speak about Luke Shaw, you are right.
‘He’s working to have an opportunity and sooner or later, the opportunity will arrive, because he deserves that opportunity. Selected, yes, for sure. To start or to be on the bench, I cannot answer.’