Mourinho Declares Ibrahimovic, Pogba, Rojo Fit to Play in Boost for Man United
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has declared that Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo are all 'ready to play' after recovering from lengthy injury absences.
Ahead of Saturday's clash with Newcastle, the return of all three in key positions will come as a huge boost for the United squad, especially now over the coming weeks as the crucial December/January months of the season fast approach.
"The players that stayed here and [were] recovering from injuries, even the ones that are recovering from big injuries, they are ready to play," Mourinho told MUTV on Friday afternoon.
Asked to clarify exactly which individuals he meant, the United boss replied, "Pogba, Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo."
Pogba has been missing for almost two months after limping out of United's Champions League opener against Basel with a hamstring injury back in late September. He had started the season in fine form and has been sorely missed.
For both Ibrahimovic, who was re-signed by United in August after initially being released in June, and Rojo, this moment has been a long time coming after each player suffered knee ligament damage during the same Europa League game against Anderlecht in April.
Rojo made his comeback in an Under-23 game earlier this week and will add depth to the squad's defensive ranks as both a centre-back and left-back. After a rocky start to his United career, the Argentina international had excelled under Mourinho's management before his injury.
After 28 goals in all competitions last season wearing the number nine shirt, Ibrahimovic has taken a new jersey this season after inheriting Wayne Rooney's number 10 following the all-time record goalscorer's summer move back to boyhood club Everton.
