Man Utd face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Friday night and one player who missed training on Wednesday could be fit in time to be named in the matchday squad.
Manchester United trained on Wednesday but Noussair Mazraoui was not part of the group
Manchester United trained on Wednesday but Noussair Mazraoui was not part of the group
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Michael Carrick is confident Noussair Mazraoui will be fit enough to make the Manchester United squad for Friday's clash with Bournemouth, despite missing training on Wednesday through illness.
United will train again on Thursday, before flying to the south coast on Thursday afternoon, and Carrick believes Mazraoui will be well enough to form part of the travelling squad for the game against the Cherries.
But Patrick Dorgu remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and Matthijs de Ligt (back) and Lisandro Martinez (calf) are also ruled out of the game against Andoni Iraola's side.
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De Ligt will now be absent for four months, having not played for United since November 28, and he continues to struggle to overcome a back problem that has kept him out of training.
The Dutch centre-back has been close to returning on a couple of occasions before feeling pain again and he is still not ready for a return to action.
"[It's] similar really," Carrick said of De Ligt's situation. "Frustrating for Mata, he’s been trying to work towards getting back, it’s a back issue that’s proving difficult. We’ll keep working as hard as we can."
The news is more positive on Martinez, who is set to miss a fifth successive game, but should be ready to return against Leeds, with United embarking on a 24-day gap between fixtures after Friday night.
"He’s a lot closer," Carrick said of the Argentine. "He’s getting there. After this one, I think he’ll be alright."
Mason Mount returned to a matchday squad on Sunday after missing six games, but he didn't make it onto the pitch and isn't considered fit enough to start against Bournemouth.
"Starting would be too much at this point, from training time and the exposure he’s had," said Carrick. "It’s brilliant to have him back, he’s a fantastic player and great to have around the group. The break coming up is a good time for him."
The Cherries are on a run of 10 games unbeaten in the Premier League, although six of them have been draws, and Carrick expects a tough game against Iraola's side.
"It’s a tough game, a tough place to go," he said. "They’re on a really good run of form, but it's a difficult game. Going there, we’ve had a good run, the boys are in good shape, but always a difficult game. We know that. Really well-coached team and good energy, so we know we’ll be in for a game."