Manchester United are due to face Cardiff City for their Premier League fixture this weekend and Romelu Lukaku is set to miss his first game under caretaker boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Lukaku is understood to be on compassionate leave and will not be available for the Boxing Day fixture either. Addressing the situation, Solskjaer said, “Lukaku has had a couple of days off, I’ve not seen him yet and I’ve not seen Alexis because he’s on his way back as well. I’m looking forward to seeing them.”
Not having Lukaku in the squad could be a blow but the 45-year-old head coach can turn towards Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial. The United faithful have been calling out for academy youngster, Mason Greenwood to get a start. The teenager has scored 20 goals in 17 games this season at youth level.
Solskjaer also stated his intentions to consult Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna regarding team selection in the coming weeks.
“Of course, it’s Michael [Carrick] and Kieran [McKenna] who have been here for the whole season. They’ve had their say and input, but there are so many games in the next 10, 15 days, so it’s about picking a team that you think is going to get results.”
“We need results but, then again, every player needs to know that they’re probably going to get their chance in this period, because that’s just the nature of the game over here in England, that we have to rotate.”
Solskjaer might not boast of an impressive Premier League record but he has previously been a part of the Manchester United family. The busy winter schedule is tough on all managers and we will just have to wait and see how the Norwegian fares.
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