Jose Mourinho remains hopeful that Phil Jones can return when Manchester United travel to the John Smith’s Stadium to face Huddersfield Town on 21 October.
The 25-year-old was superb for Mourinho’s side in the goalless draw against Liverpool at Anfield. Jones was expected to start in the midweek Champions League fixture against Benfica. However, Mourinho dropped the him on the bench after confirming the centre-back was not fully fit in his pre-match interview with BT Sport.
The Red Devils did not reveal the extent of injury, but confirmed he picked it up while on international duty with England during the recent break. The Portuguese boss remains hopeful that he can start against David Wagner’s side, while he ruled out Eric Bailly for the trip to face Huddersfield.
United are still without midfield trio of Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick due to injuries. Mourinho admitted he is still unaware when the midfielders can be in contention.
“Phil Jones was on the bench because he felt that if we really needed him, he could [play. So if he was at that stage today, on Saturday I think he will be in a condition to play. For Eric Bailly, I think it will be difficult,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by United’s official website.
“Hopefully some of them [can return at Huddersfield] but I don’t know. I don’t know about Paul, I don’t know about Fellaini.”
Marcus Rashford also joined the Red Devils’ injury list after he scored the only goal of the match in United’s 1-0 Champions League victory over Benfica. The 19-year-old was substituted in the second half and replace by Anthony Martial.
Mourinho already confirmed the England international’s knee injury in his post match interview with BT Sport. The ex-Real Madrid and Chelsea boss remains hopeful that Rashford is not serious.
The club are also without long-term absentees Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo. The latter traveled with the squad to Portugal and Mourinho confirmed the Argentine international is two weeks away from making a return.