Jose Mourinho confirms Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic “ready” to feature in Manchester United’s clash with Newcastle
Red Devils currently trail leaders Manchester City by eight points
Sponsored by
JOSE MOURINHO has confirmed Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo are all "ready" to feature against Newcastle.
The news will be a likely boost to Manchester United fans as defeat at Chelsea last week left them eight points behind leaders Manchester City.
Ibrahimovic is — literally — like a new signing having been released following a serious knee injury last season, before making his return.
While Pogba, who started the season so well has been a big miss and Rojo was arguably United's best defender towards the end of the last campaign before also picking up a serious knee injury.
Speaking to MUTV ahead of the clash with Newcastle, Mourinho insisted: "The players that stayed here and [were] recovering from injuries, even the ones that are recovering from big injuries, they are ready to play.”
When asked to elaborate on who he meant, he replied: "Pogba, Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo."
All three were injured during European action — with the latter pair yet to feature at all this season.
Ibrahimovic landed awkwardly late on during the Europa League quarter-final second leg clash with Anderlecht, with Rojo's injury happening in the semi-final second leg.
'THEY CAN BE HARD TO LIKE' Michael Owen reveals the one big character flaw Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez share
Pogba, meanwhile, pulled up during the Champions League clash against Basel.
And Mourinho was keen to stress the Frenchman's absence was evidence of how important he is to the team.
most read in football
He added: "You can clearly see Manchester United this season before Paul's injury and after Paul's injury.
It's as simple as that."
Mourinho hopes to pair Ibrahimovic with Romelu Lukaku in a bid to catch runaway leaders City.