celta plan more pain
Last Updated : GMT 09:07:40
Egypt Today, egypt today
Egypt Today, egypt today
Last Updated : GMT 09:07:40
Egypt Today, egypt today

Celta plan more pain

Egypt Today, egypt today

Egypt Today, egypt today Celta plan more pain

Celta Vigo forward John Guidetti
Madrid - Arab Today

Jose Mourinho must patch up an injury ravaged Manchester United squad as the English side's quest for Europa League glory faces its stiffest test yet with a semi-final, first leg trip to Celta Vigo on Thursday.

The Portuguese manager described United's nine-match April schedule as "not human" after another disappointing 1-1 home draw in the Premier League against relegation threatened Swansea City on Sunday.

His side's schedule doesn't get any easier, though, with six more games to come over the next 19 days in a bid to seal Champions League qualification either by winning the Europa League or squeezing into the top four of the Premier League.

"If we beat Celta, we have the final and, in this moment, it is obviously hypothetical," Mourinho told the United website.

"The Europa League final is on the Wednesday and we play against Crystal Palace on the Sunday. Before that, we play Southampton away a few days before, so we would be playing the final with disastrous consequences."

The English giants are without top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic due to cruciate ligament damage.

Meanwhile, Luke Shaw and Eric Bailly added to United's defensive woes as they join Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Marco Rojo on the sidelines, meaning Mourinho will need to look for emergency solutions at centre-back.

"That's my personal opinion, I don't think they will (be fit) but I know the players I choose will give everything. It doesn't matter if I go with Darmian or Carrick or Axel, I trust the boys."Mourinho has been critical of Jones and Smalling's unwillingness to play through the pain barrier and doesn't expect them to rush back meaning right-back Mateo Darmian, midfielder Michael Carrick or 19-year-old Axel Tuanzebe could deputise at the heart of the defence.

The visitors will have Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini back available, whilst Juan Mata could make his comeback from groin surgery after being an unused substitute against Swansea.

Celta, by contrast, have had the luxury of resting up Eduardo Berizzo's preferred XI for the majority of their recent La Liga games as the Galicians concentrate on trying to win a first ever major trophy.

"We also know what's at stake – not only that you win the Europa League, which is huge, but you can also win a place in the Champions League," Celta striker John Guidetti told UEFA.com.

"You have dreams about that."

And the former Manchester City man would revel in ending United's chances of winning the Europa League for the first time.

Former Liverpool striker Iago Aspas is Celta's main threat, though, as he's struck 24 times this season."As they say "Manchester is blue" and that's how it will be when we visit there as well, because we are Celta Vigo and we will try to keep the city blue."

The other semi-final, first leg takes place on Wednesday in Amsterdam as Ajax look to rekindle former European glories against Lyon.

Ajax haven't reached a European final since the vintage of the likes of Edwin Van der Sar, Edgar Davids and Jari Litmanen lost the 1996 Champions League final to Juventus on penalties.

However, a new generation of wonder kids now threatens to take Europe by storm, including 17-year-old Justin Kluivert, son of Ajax legend Patrick.

"It's what Ajax stands for. We give young players dreams and opportunities," said Van der Sar, now the club's general director.

Lyon have injury troubles as they look to reach a first ever European final.

Top scorer Alexandre Lacazette and French international Corentin Tolisso have travelled with the squad, but are both doubtful.

source: AFP

egypttoday
egypttoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

celta plan more pain celta plan more pain



GMT 03:33 2016 Saturday ,24 September

Diesel Black Gold fashion show during Milan Fashion Week

GMT 11:12 2018 Wednesday ,03 October

Osaka saunters into China Open third round

GMT 03:18 2017 Tuesday ,10 January

Home Centre decides to go in for a fresh look

GMT 14:44 2017 Saturday ,06 May

Pharmaceutical industry

GMT 22:32 2016 Wednesday ,24 February

'Deadpool' upends competition at North America box office

GMT 06:44 2017 Friday ,17 March

Bowling, table tennis achievements lauded

GMT 18:11 2017 Saturday ,04 March

Violence claims lives of 18 people across Syria

GMT 11:50 2017 Tuesday ,03 October

Bahrain weather forecast

GMT 12:18 2016 Friday ,30 September

To the importance of Oscar Wilde

GMT 09:53 2012 Friday ,25 May

Amr Yousef heads to Kenya \'Al Montaqem\'

GMT 09:25 2017 Saturday ,07 October

Spain rejects mediation calls as Catalans plan

GMT 22:41 2017 Friday ,02 June

Actress Suzanne Najm Al Din received

GMT 23:52 2017 Tuesday ,03 January

Syrian peace process struggles as rebels

GMT 12:59 2011 Friday ,15 July

Tasting lump of ice with fruit frozen inside

GMT 16:50 2011 Wednesday ,31 August

Justice sues to stop AT&T, t-mobile merger

GMT 21:14 2012 Tuesday ,28 August

Hyundai Veloster turbo SE

GMT 11:50 2011 Friday ,08 July

Russia\'s VTB bank secures record $3.1 bn loan

GMT 07:01 2017 Tuesday ,26 December

Lorde cancels Israel show after pressure

GMT 00:12 2013 Wednesday ,18 September

Damascus clubbers dance on in bid to forget war

GMT 10:55 2011 Tuesday ,15 November

TRA participates in UNESCO General Conference

GMT 18:26 2014 Tuesday ,27 May

Samsung to introduce standalone smart watch

GMT 15:24 2016 Sunday ,07 August

Stranded kayaker rescued after crocodile attack
 
 Egypt Today Facebook,egypt today facebook  Egypt Today Twitter,egypt today twitter Egypt Today Rss,egypt today rss  Egypt Today Youtube,egypt today youtube  Egypt Today Youtube,egypt today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday
egypttoday egypttoday egypttoday
egypttoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
egypttoday, Egypttoday, Egypttoday