Fit again Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw Travel to Lisbon for Manchester United Clash against Benfica

Manchester United duo Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo were both pictured among the club's travelling squad for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Benfica. Shaw, 22, has struggled to hold down a first-team role under Jose Mourinho with an injury curtailing a brief run in the starting XI last May.

The former Southampton starlet is fit once again but has managed just one appearance for the first-team this season, coming off the bench in the Carabao Cup third round victory over Burton Albion.

Shaw played 90 minutes for the club's Under-23 side against West Ham United on Sunday.

Rojo meanwhile has not featured since April when he suffered a season-ending cruciate ligament injury which required him to undergo surgery. During the summer, Mourinho suggested December as a possible return date for the Argentina international, although his return to first-team training in August would suggest he is ahead of schedule.

Both players were part of the group that jetted outto Portugal on Monday evening and while their inclusion bodes well for both players' long-term fitness, it is unlikely either will feature against the Portuguese giants given their lack of recent game time.

Midfielder Michael Carrick was not pictured among the travelling party having missed United's last three matches through injury and is not expected to be involved on Wednesday night. The Premier League side also remain without two other midfield options in Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini, who continue to recover from respective hamstring and medial ligament injuries.

United have taken six points from their opening two games of the Champions League group stage, scoring seven goals along the way having put both FC Basel and CSKA Moscow to the sword. An away trip to Benfica would have been seen as many as they sternest test when the draw was made back in September, but the Portuguese giants currently sit bottom of Group A having lost both of their opening matches, including a 5-0 defeat to Basel last time out.

Credit - IBTimes

Comments

Roma Midfielder Signs New Deal with Italian Club

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has signed a new four-year contract with the Serie A club. The 29-year-old Belgium international had been linked with Manchester United in Italian media, while Chelsea were also reported to be interested. This was coupled by suggestions that Nainggolan was growing impatient with the numerous delays in receiving a contract proposal from the capital club. However, the 29-year-old has put any doubts about his future to bed by extending his contract until 2021, in a deal that will see him earn €4.5 million per season, including bonuses, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I think I have demonstrated that this is what I always wanted," Nainggolan said. "I'm very happy that the club and I can continue our adventure and move forward together." Nainggolan has played 161 times for Roma since joining from Cagliari in 2014. Nainggolan becomes the third senior central midfielder to extend their contract at Roma th...

Chelsea Winger Suffers 'Multiple Fractures', Says Chelsea Antonio Conte

Chelsea's Pedro has suffered multiple fractures from his collision with David Ospina in China, according to boss Antonio Conte. Ahead of the Blues' next pre-season clash with Bayern Munich in Singapore, Conte confirmed Pedro must wear a protective mask after 10 days of rehabilitation. Conte said: "The situation was more serious. I hoped it would be only concussion. He had multiple fractures but I think with a mask in 10 days he could come back to work with us." The Spaniard was clattered by Arsenal goalkeeper Ospina during their 3-0 win over Arsenal in Beijing on Saturday and was sent home to England with concussion the next day. The 29-year-old had left the field at Bird's Nest Stadium groggy and hobbling, with visible cuts to his face and head. Conte had initially been hopeful Pedro could join them in Singapore for the next leg of their tour but the forward said on Instagram: "What a shock. Fortunately everything is okay." Pedro ...

Alexis Sanchez is just what Manchester United Need, Says Fortmer Tottenham Manager

The signing of a proven world-class forward such as Alexis Sanchez is just what Manchester United need to compete for the biggest prizes, former Tottenham manager Gerry Francis has said. Sanchez, 29, joined United on a four-and-a-half-year contract from Arsenal on Monday, 22 January, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving in the opposite direction in a straight-swap deal. "Sanchez is a real goal-scorer, he's talented and he's aggressive around the box and he makes things happen, he can pull teams through," he told Sky Sports.Francis described the Chilean forward as a match-winner who will aid United in their quest to win silverware by adding some much-needed potency to their attack. "It's [about] the present, you're looking to win trophies and looking to win competitions and, sometimes, you need to buy and have the finished article and Sanchez is certainly that. "It just makes them as a squad that much stronger. Certainly, a much bigger goal-threat with Sa...

Plauseorminus

Search This Blog