Jose Mourinho gives positive injury update on Manchester United star Chris Smalling ahead of Chelsea clash

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has revealed Chris Smalling should be fit for the trip to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea this weekend.

The England centre-back started alongside Eric Bailly in United’s Europa League match against Fenerbahce on Thursday night but was replaced at half-time by Marcos Rojo.

After the 4-1 victory at Old Trafford, Mourinho admitted Smalling had picked up a knock before the break but was confident that the 26-year-old would be available for the game on Sunday.

‘We were 3-0 up so we decided to change. Hopefully he can recover for the weekend,’ the Portuguese manager stated.

Huge boost: Mourinho gives positive update on key Man Utd star ahead of Chelsea clash

Jose Mourinho hopes Chris Smalling should be fit to face Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Mourinho went on to explain why Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who joined the Red Devils in the summer, was missing from his squad to face the Turkish outfit.

He added: ‘The situation is that we played with Lingard, with Mata and Martial.
‘I am not an Einstein, I don’t know a tactical system to play with four wingers at the same time. He has to work more to get the intensity and the real fitness to play at the high level.

‘To have him here tonight on the bench and to give him 15 to 20 minutes, like I did with Memphis, I thought it would be better for him to work the way he did yesterday and much harder, obviously.

‘I thought it would be much better for him to work today, like he did in the specific session, than to wait for his chance. But he is ready. He is ready very soon.’