Jose Mourinho: Key Manchester United players fit for crucial City clash - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Jose Mourinho has confirmed Manchester United trio of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia are fit to face Manchester City in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Armenian international joined the Red Devils from Borussia Dortmund earlier in the summer transfer window. He is yet to start a league fixture for his new club and was instrumental after coming off the bench in his side’s 1-0 victory over Hull City.
Mkhitaryan suffered an injury in his national side’s 3-0 friendly defeat to Czech Republic. His participation in the derby was doubtful after the Armenian FA confirmed he will miss their World Cup qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Luke Shaw was withdrawn from England squad as a precautionary measure, while Antonio Valencia’s participation was doubtful as he was set to return to Manchester a day before the clash against Pep Guardiola’s side.
However, the former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager has confirmed he has a fully fit squad, but warned that Mkhitaryan is not fit to play the entire match.
“I’m not saying Micki is ready to play 90 minutes but he is ready to help us. There are no injuries,” Mourinho told United’s official website.
“Everybody is available. It’s not the same as if we were here all week and working, resting and not travelling, but there are no injuries and everybody has returned safely and on time for at least one training session. Everybody is ready and wants to play of course.”
United and City have started the season on a brighter note as they won their respective matches so far in the Premier League. The clash between these sides are one of the most high profile fixtures of the 2015-16 season, especially after Mourinho and Guardiola arrive in Manchester earlier in the summer.
Both clubs have spent heavily in the summer transfer window and have bolstered their squad. It is going to be an exciting clash when these two sides face each other at the early stage of this campaign.
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