Western Daily Press (Saturday)
United without Fellaini, but Sanchez is fit again
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United will miss Marouane Fellaini’s “X factor” for up to a month after the divisive midfielder sustained a calf injury.
Having been a key component under Jose Mourinho, speculation has mounted about a January exit as the Belgium international has had just 31 minutes on the pitch since the Portuguese’s exit.
But Fellaini, who signed a new contract until at least 2020 in the summer, looks set to stay at Old Trafford after suffering an injury set- back and earning praise from caretaker manager Solskjaer.
“He’ll probably be at least three or four weeks (out),” the United boss said of the 31-year-old, who joins Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo on the sidelines.
“He’s got a calf problem and that’s sad because there’s X factors in different players and we all know Felli’s X factor.
“Then again, he’ll be working hard to get back in when all the big games are coming as well.”
Solskjaer does not expect Scott McTominay to leave on loan and confirmed the club are in contract negotiations with the midfielder, while the United boss confirmed January arrivals are unlikely.
The main focus now, though, is today’s match against Brighton. Eric Bailly is back from suspension for the match and Alexis Sanchez is available after missing last weekend’s 1-0 win at Tottenham.
“He loves to play football,” said Solskjaer of Sanchez. “It doesn’t matter who you are, you want to play football. He’s been hindered by injury and I know all about injuries and how frustrating that can be and how eager you are to get back.
“In the Reading game, maybe he should have told me at half-time ‘I need to come off now’ because the 15-20 minutes he played in the second half maybe that was too much for him and that gave him a setback.
“So, he’s champing at the bit, I have to say, but I’ve got loads of good players to choose from.”