Man Utd injuries

Manchester United manager José Mourinho has confirmed Phil Jones and Chris Smalling sustained “long-term injuries” on England duty.

Saturday’s home clash with West Brom is the first of nine matches for United in April as they juggle domestic and European exertions.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera miss this weekend’s match through suspension and a hamstring issue rules Paul Pogba out. members have changed their opinion of the 67-year-old.

Around 200 fans marched from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium ahead of the recent fixtures against Bayern Munich and Lincoln while two planes were flown over the Hawthorns during the West Brom defeat.

One called for Wenger to leave, while a second proclaimed support for the man who has delivered three Premier League titles and a record-equalling six FA Cups to the club.

A crowdfunding website collecting funds for further protests has raised almost £4,000 and there has been a number of suggestions on Twitter that tennis balls will be thrown on to the pitch during the game against City.

“Less than 3% of fans directly called for him to be fired,” Payton said.

“Most talked mainly about stepping aside, retirement or succession plan. However, there was a clear overall opinion that the manager’s time is at an end.

“These results help explain why there have not been mass demonstrations against the manager and why, despite a consensus on what should happen, there are differing views on how to get there.

“Scores of empty seats at recent games show many find staying away is the best way to articulate their views.” Everton boss Ronald Koeman has accused Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill of “not protecting” midfielder James McCarthy.

Koeman also said McCarthy “needs to take responsibility” with regard to the situation that has left him ruled out of today’s Merseyside derby.

After going into the international break having missed Everton’s last two games because of a hamstring complaint, McCarthy was named in the Republic’s starting line-up for their World Cup qualifier against Wales last Friday, only to withdraw having pulled up just before kick-off.

Koeman was asked about the matter yesterday at his press conference to preview the Liverpool match.

He had prepared for such a question and read from a sheet of paper, saying: “James had an injury when he reported for Ireland duty last week.

“Our medical team made the Ireland medical team aware of this, of course.

“Everton’s medical team advised extreme caution, not only due to the current injury but due to previous injuries too, and the assessment by the Ireland medical team was that it would be a high risk for James to play against Wales.

“But, of course, James has a strong TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR desire to play for his country.

“So, when asked if he was fit to play, he said he felt he was fit, and he was selected to start the game by the Ireland manager who, in my opinion, in this instance was not protecting the player. “Clearly James was not fit to play. Koeman said further details of conversations he has had with McCarthy were ”private” and that any talks with O’Neill and the Football Association ofIreland was a “case for the club”, while adding he was “not surprised but disappointed” that the situation had occurred.

O’Neill responded to Koeman’s criticism yesterday evening.

He issued a statement which read: “Once again the Everton manager, master tactician of the blame game, has struck out in his comments today, criticising both myself and James McCarthy.

“James had a magnificent tournament for the Republic of Ireland last summer during at Euro 2016, playing his last game in very late June.

“He then returned to Everton after a very short break, but only 11 days later, he played his first of three games, all within an eight-day period, against Real Betis, Manchester United and Espanyol. Overloading?”