OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER is sweating on the fitness of four players heading into his biggest week as Manchester United boss.
Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof all missed the 1-0 FA Cup third-round win over Watford.
Axel Tuanzebe is primed for another opportunity versus Burnley on TuesdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Eric Bailly will definitely miss the match after suffering a neck injury versus WatfordCredit: Reuters
And Eric Bailly is a serious doubt with a neck problem after being clattered by his own keeper, Dean Henderson.
The Red Devils can go top at Burnley on Tuesday before a massive trip to arch-rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
And Solskjaer revealed only one of the three who missed out on Saturday will be back to face the reigning champs.
The United boss said: “I hope one will definitely be fit for Liverpool but I’m not sure if they will make Burnley.”
Bailly’s injury looked nasty as he collided with Henderson’s knee but Solskjaer confirmed it was not concussion.
And the defender, who was replaced by Harry Maguire just before the break, assured worried fans he is fine, tweeting: “I am OK, it was just a knock.”
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Bailly will miss the Turf Moor clash, though.
And with Lindelof likely to miss out, too, Axel Tuanzebe, who impressed against the Hornets, is likely to be drafted in alongside Maguire.
Centre-back Tuanzebe, 23, started just his fourth game of the season against Watford.
He said: “We want to be top of the league and this is the time to do it.
“They are two games that can really cement our position at the top and we just bounce on from there.
“I’d obviously love to get more minutes, so I can constantly keep my performances up. Obviously the team are doing well so the only way in is really to force myself in with the chances that I do get.
Eric’s a warrior, that’s what he does for us — he gets in the way of things.
Axel Tuanzebe
“Sometimes the opportunity can just come out of the blue.”
United legend Rio Ferdinand said Tuanzebe needs to be asking questions over his lack of game time since starring against Paris Saint-Germain in October.
Ferdinand said: “There has to be a moment in your career where you say, ‘Listen, I’ve been here a long time, I’ve done the groundwork, everyone knows what I’m about. Where do I stand in the rankings in the club?’.
“Does he want to play football? He did well against PSG, against world-class opposition, and then he doesn’t play.”
Bailly has started five of the last six games and had been in prime form since returning from an injury picked up with Ivory Coast in October.
And Tuanzebe added: “He’s fine — that’s the main thing.
“It’s good to see he’s all right. He’s a warrior, that’s what he does for us — he gets in the way of things.
“It’s good to see that he’s all right and he should be training in the next week or so.”
Burnley vs Man Utd – Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Premier League clash
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
