Manchester United are preparing to play Anderlecht on Thursday night in what amounts to be as big a game as they have played so far this season. If United negotiate their way past the Belgians then they will be one step closer to their second trophy of the season and the elusive Champions League qualification.

Fortunately for Jose Mourinho, United came through the victory over former club Chelsea on Sunday without sustaining anymore injuries. So looking at the current injury list…

As we know James Wilson is gone for the season with his anterior cruciate ligament injury and we can only continue to wish the youngster well in his rehab from the serious knee problem and look forward to his return next season.

Centre-backs Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are both still suffering from their knee injury and toe injury respectively as the two England internationals are expected to be sidelined for another 3 or 4 weeks. Jose will likely select Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly as he did on Sunday where the two centre-backs delivered awesome 9 out of 10 displays for their manager against the league leaders. Both defenders have really flourished under Jose and look very comfortable as Red-Devils which means that Smalling and Jones need not be rushed back.

A big miss against Anderlecht is playmaker Juan Mata. The skillful Spaniard is no closer to a return unfortunately as his pelvis problem means he will not be available for the Europa League tie. In fact Mata is unlikely to appear for United again this season unless he has a sudden unexpected rapid recovery. We can only wish the awesome Mata the very best and hope that he is fit and healthy again in the very near future.

Some slightly better news is that club captain Wayne Rooney is near to a return to full fitness. The United manager had this to say about the possibility of Rooney being named on the bench for the Europa League tie as reported on the official Man United website:

“He’s working now, he’s improving and if in this training session [this afternoon] the answer is positive, I would select him to be on the bench tomorrow,” Mourinho told reporters at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

“He’s experienced, his know-how of this knockout phase – I think he’s a player that can be useful tomorrow. If we need a goal, he can help us. If we need to keep a result, to keep the ball, to keep control of the game by having possession, he can help us too. So, hopefully his answer in the training session is positive.”

Clearly the United boss would like to be able to turn to the experience of Rooney if required and hopefully the team do not sustain any other injuries as they continue to navigate the business end of the campaign. A win over Anderlecht will clearly maintain their confidence and momentum which has to be riding high on the back of the superb display against Chelsea.

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