As if losing Zlatan Ibrahimovic for three games due to suspension wasn't bad enough news for Manchester United, Jose Mourinho is facing a situation where he has no fit strikers for United's quarter-final at Stamford Bridge, tomorrow night.
Ibrahimovic was ruled out of the tie as it marks the beginning of his three match suspension for elbowing Tyrone Mings during last weekend's 1-1 draw with Bournemouth. It was expected his role would be filled by one of Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial.
However, Martial is unavailable due to an injury and Rashford is suffering with an illness.
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That leaves Wayne Rooney as Mourinho's only other recognised striker. Or it did, had United's captain not been injured in a training ground collision with Phil Jones.
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With three games in the next seven days, an injury crisis is something Mourinho could do without at this moment in time, especially with Champions Leaugue qualification anything but secure with United eternally in sixth place in the Premier League and currently drawing 1-1 on aggregate with Rostov in the Europa League round of 16.
A lack of atacking options could force Mourinho to get creative with his team selection and tactics upon his second return to Stamford Bridge, this season. A forward role for Jesse Lingard, Marouane Fellaini or even potentially Juan Mata as a false nine could be on the cards.
The United boss will be hoping for a big improvement on the 4-0 demolition his team were on the wrong end of when they played Antonio Conte's league leaders in October of last year.
(H/T 101 Great Goals)
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Football, Manchester United
