United in trouble after Zlatan injury: Mourinho

Jose Mourinho admits Manchester United are “in trouble” amid growing concerns that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not play again this year.

Thursday’s progress to the Europa League semi-finals came at a cost as both Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo suffered nasty looking injuries during the 2-1 extra-time win over Anderlecht.

Rojo was taken off on a stretcher after seemingly sustaining a knee injury, and Ibrahimovic landed awkwardly just before the end of normal time in the quarter-final second leg.

The 35-year-old striker’s knee buckled, with reports last night suggesting he could be out until 2018 due to cruciate ligament damage, and Mourinho is fearing the worst when it comes to the injuries sustained by his top scorer and defender Rojo.

Both are being assessed to see how long they will join Juan Mata, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones on the sidelines at a crucial point in the season, with United chasing Europa League glory and a top-four Premier League finish.

“We are in trouble,” Mourinho said. “We are in trouble.

“In this moment, Eric Bailly played six matches in a row, and we lost Marcos Rojo, we don’t have Jones or Smalling, we are in trouble and now we lose Zlatan too. But in attack, we have options and (Wayne) Rooney is coming, and let’s see if Mata can also return before the end of the season, let’s see what happens.”

United will face Celta Vigo in the Europa League semi-finals.

Mourinho’s men have been drawn away first, playing in Spain on May 4 before welcoming Celta to Old Trafford on May 11. Ajax come up against French club Lyon in the other last-four tie.

In the Champions League draw, holders Real Madrid play city rivals Atletico Madrid and French side Monaco take on Italian club Juventus. The first legs will be played on May 2-3.