According to a new report, Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho doesn’t expect defender Chris Smalling to be available for selection before Christmas.
The 27-year-old is still trying to recover from a foot injury which he sustained earlier in the season.
Though the centre-back’s return had been anticipated, the Telegraph recently said Jose Mourinho had revealed that Chris Smalling will not be putting on a United shirt anytime soon on the pitch.
Smalling has missed United’s last five Premier League outings having played in seven of their opening nine fixtures.
Nevertheless, In his absence, the duo of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo have struck up a solid central defensive partnership working very hard to keep opponents away from the goal post, but this might not be for so long since Ivorian Eric Bailly is set to return.
22-year old Eric Bailly, since joining the red devils from LA Liga side Villarreal in the summer for a reported £30 million, has been a revelation
Manchester United are presently sitting sixth in the Premier League table with 13 points behind table leaders Chelsea and nine points behind fourth-place City.
The United boys will collide with fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur this weekend. Tottenham Hotspur are currently topping Mourinho’s boys with six points, and to increase their chances of participating in the European Champions League next season, Manchester United needs a full 3 points.
