MIDFIELD ‘SOLUTION’ A BIG TEST FOR JOSE

JOSE MOURINHO is facing a midfield crisis ahead of Manchester United’s Champions League tie tonight.

United face CSKA Moscow without midfield trio Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick, with Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera Mourinho’s only fit options there.

Fellaini was sidelined by a challenge from Southampton’s Shane Long in United’s 1-0 win (above), with Mourinho claiming the midfielder was “lucky” not to be seriously injured.

“We don’t have Fellaini, we don’t have Pogba and we don’t have Carrick,” said Mourinho. “All three midfield players we lose for this match, so there aren’t many solutions.

“It was only after the game I watched the challenge on Fellaini on television. He was lucky, because it could have been a much worse situation. “In a moment where we don’t have Pogba and Carrick, Marouane becomes even more important, and not to be here is a difficult situation for us. But I don’t expect him to be out for a long time. “After Crystal Palace on Saturday, there is an international break and, with Belgium having already qualified for the World Cup, he’s not under pressure to play a special big match for them, so hopefully he’ll be back for us.” Mourinho (left) was sent off at Southampton for encroaching on to the pitch and said the FA’s decision not to take further action was the right one. “There were no reasons for the sending-off,” he added. “I’m happy that was recognised and I can work normally again. That’s enough for me.”