Mourinho optimistic over injured Lukaku’s chance of being fit for FA Cup final
Jose Mourinho is upbeat about Romelu Lukaku’s chances of being fit for the FA Cup final and Marouane Fellaini sign- ing a new deal at Manchester United.
Tonight’ s trip to Brighton offers the chance for United to strengthen their grip on second place, although the Portuguese must do without his first- choice striker.
Lukaku, pictured, limped off against Arsenal last weekend with an ankle complaint and is recovering in Belgium, where he was filmed moving freely in a medicine ball exercise yesterday. Those images suggest the 24- year- old’s injury is not as bad as first feared, and Mourinho confirmed the striker should be able to play against Chelsea at Wembley on 19 May.
“He is not( avail able) tomorrow,” said Mourinho. “Apart from that, we need to wait for more scans, more time but not tomorrow.” Asked if there was a chance for the FA Cup final, Mourinho added: “Hop e so. Looks positive.” Mourinho is also hopeful last weekend’s match- winner Fellaini will stay at Old Trafford beyond the summer, despite contract talks with the 30- year-old midfielder having been at an impasse throughout the season, amid interest from some European giants and the Chinese Super League.
“I am still positive,” Mourinho said. “He’s important. He’s a player that I like but destiny is in his hands and he will decide what makes him happier. He knows that I want him to stay, he knows that the club wants him to stay. He has an offer from us and it’s up to him now to ( say) yes or no.”
Fellaini looks set to be involved tonight, while Eric Ba ill y may miss out. The defender has been absent from the last two squads but Mourinho explained that was due to the Ivory Coast’s World Cup absence rather than any fitness concern.
“I try to be a good team manager and that means( being) a bit selfish,” Mourinho said. “But I still have space for a little bit of feelings so when I look to the other four central defenders fighting for a position in the World Cup, I am giving less to Eric.”