Manchester United will be without six players when they host Chelsea in Thursday’s Premier League fixture.
United’s manager Ralf Rangnick disclosed this during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
Rangnick revealed that Fred will not make the game as he is still not fully recovered from his hip flexor problem.
He disclosed that Harry Maguire and Jadon Sancho, have also been added to the absentee list, which already included Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba and Luke Shaw.
“Fred is unfortunately not yet available,” Rangnick told reporters.
“He tried to train yesterday but after training I had a long conversation with him and he just told me that he doesn’t feel fully fit, he’s not at 100 per cent, and with a player like Fred who’s always committed to give his very best, I don’t think it makes sense, with the muscular injury that he had, to play him too early, because that would mean we take the risk of a re-injury and this is something that I don’t want to do. So he won’t be available unfortunately tomorrow.
“And apart from that we have Harry Maguire who is not available. He has some issues with his knee, not a big thing – some niggle in his knee. He hasn’t been training, neither yesterday or today.
“Paul obviously, Fred, Edinson, Luke Shaw and Jadon – Jadon is ill, he has tonsillitis since yesterday, couldn’t train today and will also be not available tomorrow.”
Rangnick is hoping to have Cavani back in training the day after the game against Thomas Tuchel’s side, with a view to having him available for the final three fixtures of the season.
“Well, he should be back in training on Friday, so the day after the Chelsea game, according to the team doctor, and then we will have to see,” Ralf said.
“He has been out for quite some time now but according to our team doctor he should be back in training on Friday.”
The Red Devils are currently in sixth place on 54 points and are six points adrift of fourth place currently occupied by Arsenal.
