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Manchester United

Jose confirms key player fit to face Derby County

Manchester United take on Championship promotion contenders Derby County in the third round of this season’s FA Cup at Old Trafford on Friday evening.

Prior to the game, Jose Mourinho has given a team news and injury update.

The big news is that Romelu Lukaku has recovered from his head injury suffered at the hands of Southampton on 30 December and is fit to face the East Midlands club tomorrow.

Lukaku was taken off inside the opening quarter-of-an-hour in our final game of 2017 after Saints defender Wesley Hoedt clashed into the back of our striker as both players dueled for a header.

The Belgian international subsequently missed our 2-0 win at his former side, Everton, on New Year’s Day.

Speaking to MUTV today, Jose was able to confirm that Lukaku is fit to face Derby:

“Romelu is back, Romelu is back. As I said it was not a concussion, it was a precaution, a protection for him. He wanted to play against Everton, but this time he is back.”

The boss was also able to confirm that fellow Belgian international Marouane Fellaini has recovered from his knee injury.  The midfielder had been out since the end of November.

Further updates were that both Antonio Valencia and Michael Carrick are back in training but will not be ready in time to face Derby.

Mourinho said:

“From the injured players, Fellaini is back. And Michael Carrick is back to training, not to competition, but is back to training with the team. Antonio Valencia will be back to the team next week, so he is not playing tomorrow but will be back to the team next week. The situation is improving for us.”

Eric Bailly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic both remain sidelined whilst Ashley Young serves the second of his three-match ban.