Jose Mourinho admitted that Michael Carrick and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are unlikely to feature in the EFL Cup final after the pair picked up injuries in Manchester United’s 1-0 win at Saint-Etienne on Wednesday evening.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan broke the deadlock in the 16th minute with a superb close-range after Juan Mata’s low cross in the penalty area.
However, the Armenia international was forced off shortly after with a hamstring problem ahead of Sunday’s EFL Cup final at Wembley.
Jose Mourinho was given another fitness headache after Michael Carrick limped off with a calf injury in the second half in France.
Ivory Coast international Eric Bailly was also sent off for a second bookable offence to rule the defender out of the first leg of their last-16 clash in the Europa League.
Speaking to BT Sport about Manchester United’s injury problems after their 1-0 win at Saint-Etienne, Mourinho said:
“You can be injured leaving your house or in the garden. You never know when or why. It is the result of so many matches. There is also the risk.
“When someone is missing, it is an opportunuity for another one. Not to have them both for the final is complicated, but I think Fellaini and Schweinsteiger did a good answer despite being players who normally don’t play too much.”
Asked whether Mkhitaryan and Carrick won’t feature in the final, Mourinho added:
“I don’t say that. I just say what I feel. With three days [until the final], a hamstring and a calf injury – even if a minor injuries – I always think that three days is not enough time.”
Manchester United will face Premier League leaders Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals at Stamford Bridge.
COMMENTS