Zimpapers Logo

MANCHESTER. — Jose Mourinho takes Manchester United to Everton today in the midst of a major striker crisis as he faces former Old Trafford favourite and club record goalscorer Wayne Rooney.

Romelu Lukaku suffered a worrying head injury early in Saturday night’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Southampton, United’s third successive stalemate and a result which saw them drop below Chelsea and into third place in the Premier League.

But, of arguably greater concern, Mourinho also revealed that veteran forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has suffered a knee injury which will sideline him for at least a month – the problem compounded by reports that he has suffered damage to the same knee in which he tore ligaments at the end of last season.

Lukaku, meanwhile, has been ruled out for at least two games – the visit to Goodison Park and Friday’s FA Cup third-round meeting with Championship side Derby County at Old Trafford.

“It is the same, a massive problem. He is a 37-year-old with a bad knee. Zlatan is one month out,” said Mourinho of the veteran Swede.

The United manager claimed to be happy with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford as potential replacements for the pair but refused to be drawn on whether he will now seek to strengthen his attack in this month’s transfer window.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I really don’t know. But I’m happy with the players’ attitude, with the players’ desire and I have no complaints about my players.”

Lukaku was substituted after only eight minutes against Southampton after a sickening clash of heads with Saints defender Wesley Hoedt. — AFP