Man U in midfield crisis ahead of derby

MANCHESTER — Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is facing a midfield shortage ahead of this weekend’s Manchester derby.

Mourinho will definitely be without Paul Pogba at Old Trafford on Sunday as he will serve the first game of a three-match suspension after the club decided against appealing the red card he picked up in the 3-1 win over Arsenal on Saturday.

But the United boss also has injury worries over Marouane Fellaini and Nemanja Matic.

Fellaini has missed the last two games, while Mourinho confirmed on Monday that Matic is still suffering from a muscle problem.

Both Fellaini and Matic were absent from training at Carrington on Monday afternoon, although Phil Jones, who has been out for more than a month, did take part.

Mourinho told MUTV: “Matic is injured and when I say he is injured, he is injured.”

Matic was a doubt for the trip to Arsenal on Saturday after limping off against Watford, but Mourinho revealed the midfielder had asked to play at the Emirates Stadium.

The 29-year-old will not played against CSKA Moscow yesterday but sources have told ESPN FC there is hope he may be able to recover in time to line up against Manchester City on Sunday.

If not, Ander Herrera will be Mourinho’s only fit senior central midfielder.

Scott McTominay is also available, but the 20-year-old has only made two Premier League appearances.— ESPNFC.