Lukaku’s cup hope hanging by a thread
ROMELU LUKAKU has come to a critical point in his race to get fit for the FA Cup final.
The Belgium striker has missed Manchester United’s last two games because of an ankle injury and manager Jose Mourinho admitted he is planning to start without his No1 striker against Chelsea at Wembley in a week’s time.
“We hope he can play in the final,” said Mourinho. “He is in Belgium having treatment. We are in communication with the doctors and our medical department and we are just waiting to see if he can be involved in the final. If not, at least he can be on the bench.”
Lukaku’s absence has opened the door for out-offavour duo Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
Mourinho was critical of their performances in the 1-0 defeat at Brighton last week and ignored them for most of Thursday’s drab 0-0 draw at West Ham. That match saw Rashford come on for the last 16 minutes and Martial remain on the bench.
But both will start at home against Watford tomorrow as Mourinho wants all his squad to have playing time ahead of the cup final.
He said: “I will play Sergio Romero, Daley Blind, Eric Bailly, Rashford, Martial and Juan Mata.
“I have every player apart from Lukaku and Marouane Fellaini available and I won’t go to the young players.”
Tomorrow’s game doubles as a farewell for Michael Carrick, who is quitting aged 36 to start a coaching career at Old Trafford.
Mourinho said: “He is going to start the match as captain but not end it because I want him to leave the pitch alone and feel what the Manchester United supporters feel about him.
“I’m not as sad as I normally am when my players end their careers because he’s going to be with us as a coach and even closer to me. But it will still be emotional.”
Watford boss Javi Gracia is hoping he can finally call on Nathaniel Chalobah for the first time in his Watford reign. The midfielder has been sidelined for 239 days after fracturing his kneecap during a training session.
Gracia said: “It is possible he will play. We will see tomorrow and in the last training session. He deserves to play because he has worked very hard.
“He is not in the best condition but if he can play, it will be very good for morale.”
The Hornets will pocket an extra £10million by leapfrogging Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Newcastle into the top half.