Some worrying early team news for Jose Mourinho.
Manchester United travel to Brighton on Sunday aiming to continue their winning start to the new Premier League season.
They will do so, however, seemingly without the services of Alexis Sanchez after the Chilean wasn’t spotted among United’s travelling squad for the clash at the Amex Stadium.
Official team news isn’t due to be released until around 3pm but it seems as though Mourinho will have to do without one of his key attackers.
An injury to Sanchez would be a considerable blow, especially as the former Arsenal forward enjoyed a full pre-season after Chile failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Sanchez started and played the full 90 minutes in United’s 2-1 victory over Leicester on the opening night of the season but won’t be involved against Brighton, as per The Mirror.
They do say that every time you tell a lie your nose grows a bit longer…… pic.twitter.com/mhZIe52vyM
— Remo (@Remo26599) August 18, 2018
Meanwhile, Mourinho confirmed that Paul Pogba will once again captain the side while rubbishing reports of a rift with the Frenchman.
“We thought young guy but good personality, made in the academy, normally a starting line-up player – he has conditions to be captain in the future, and in the [thinking] of this he was the captain and will be the captain again. But when Antonio comes back he will be the captain.”
Jose confirms @PaulPogba will captain #MUFC on Sunday and says "I couldn't be happier with him than I am now." pic.twitter.com/1qIGsoKzMB
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 17, 2018
“The truth is we are together for two years and a couple of weeks and I’ve never been so happy with him as I am now, that’s the truth,” Mourinho said. “I cannot demand more from him, I cannot ask more from him, he came here on a Monday [last week], trained three days – I asked for his support for his contribution in an important match for us when the team had difficulties.
“He did it better [than I hoped] and for more time than we could expect [before being substituted]. When he says he did it for the fans and for the team that is exactly what I want, exactly what I demand from my players. He’s working well, playing well, he does it for the fans, he does it for the team and that’s what I want, to play for the team and I couldn’t be happier than what I am.”
Brighton v United kicks off at 4pm on Sky Sports. United lost 1-0 at the Amex in May.
