Manchester United will be looking to further boost their chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season when they host Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Red Devils were sixth when they sacked Ruben Amorim following a 1-1 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road at the beginning of January, but they have now move up to fourth following their fine form under caretaker boss Michael Carrick.
Man United were 11 points adrift of third-placed Aston Villa at that point, but that gap is now down to three ahead of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.
Carrick has taken 16 points from a possible 18 since replacing interim manager Darren Fletcher, which has seen United become strong contenders to secure a top-four finish.
The Red Devils were without Lisandro Martinez due to injury for the 1-0 win at Everton on Monday night, while they have other players close to a return ahead of the upcoming fixtures.
Martinez, Mount, De Ligt Injury Latest at Man United
It was announced just hours before kick-off at the Hill Dickinson Stadium that United would be without Lisandro Martinez against the Toffees after he picked up a calf injury, having played in nine successive matches for United having returned from an ACL issue.
It was reported on Monday that Martinez would be expected back in 1-2 weeks.
Meanwhile, fellow centre-back Matthijs de Ligt has been out since the end of November with a lower back injury, despite Amorim suggesting at the time it wasn’t a long-term issue.
Speaking last week, Carrick said:
“Matta, a little bit working towards it, but as I said last week, he’s a little bit behind Mason, really, so we’re just trying to work with him, to progress him, to get him a bit closer.”
Mount, meanwhile, has been missing since the start of the month after picking up a minor injury in training, but he is the closest to making a return ahead of this weekend.
Expected Return Dates
As mentioned above, Mount is ‘getting closer’ to a return, according to Carrick speaking prior to the Everton game, so he could be involved for the visit of Palace on Sunday if training goes well for the rest of this week.
The timeline of 1-2 weeks for Martinez which was given on Monday would suggest that the clash against Oliver Glasner’s men could come too early, but there is also only a few days’ break between that game and the trip to Newcastle next Wednesday.
Carrick will hope to have Martinez back for the latter at least, but again it will depend on how his recovery goes this week.
De Ligt is a bit more of a mystery, although the fact that he’s behind Mount would suggest that the home game against Aston Villa on March 15 could be a more realistic target for the Dutchman’s return.
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