Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is threatening to play Old Trafford veteran Nicky Butt in his desperate attempt to win the Europa League and finish in the Premier League's top-four.
Mourinho's injury list seems to grow more and more with every match that passes, and yesterday's league match at home to Swansea City saw Luke Shaw and Eric Bailly hobble off before full-time.
With a semi-final against Celta Vigo looming in Europe, as well as a hectic run-in in the Premier League, Mourinho admits he might be forced into playing inexperienced members of Butt's Under-23 side on the final day of the season - and perhaps even Butt himself.
Could the treble winning Butt make a heroic return to United's first XI? Image: PA
Advert
Speaking via The Independent, Mourinho explained: "At the moment we can't walk from the bed to the toilet without breaking a leg.
"It's a consequence of our success, but also of the calendar. You are punished for doing well.
"At the moment this is hypothetical, but if we beat Celta [Vigo], we have the final. But the Europa League final is on the Wednesday (May 24) and we play Palace on the Sunday, and Southampton a few days before that (on the 17th).
Butt lifted the Premier League trophy six times as a United player. Image: PA
Advert
"We could be playing the final with disastrous consequences.
"Maybe I will bring Nicky Butt and his team to play against Crystal Palace.
"And hopefully Palace doesn't need to stay in the division, because it would be very bad if they needed the points and we played our Under-23s."
He was unquestionably a United favourite during his playing days, and who can forget his contribution to the treble winning side of 1999?
Eric Bailly is the latest United player to be sidelined through injury. Image: PA
Advert
But he's 42 now, and whilst some of his young guns might be up to the job, we're not entirely sure Nicky Butt would be able to do much against a hungry Big Sam side.
There's a 99.99% chance this is just a little joke on Jose's part - but you never know.
This story was first featured on talkingbaws.com - simple, shareable sport. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
Topics: Jose Mourinho, Football, Manchester United