Jose Mourinho does not expect Chris Smalling or Phil Jones to be fit for Manchester United's Europa League semi-final first leg at Celta Vigo

  • Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have both been injured for over a month 
  • Smalling and Jones both sustained their injuries while on international duty 
  • They are expected to return around mid-May, according to Jose Mourinho  
  • Fellow defenders Luke Shaw and Eric Bailly went off injured against Swansea 

Defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are not expected to be fit in time for Manchester United's Europa League semi-final first leg against Celta Vigo on Thursday, according to Jose Mourinho.

The pair have been out of action for over a month after they sustained injuries while on international duty with England.

Asked if they would be ready to return for the trip to Spain, manager Mourinho told the Manchester Evening News: 'I don't think they will. That's my personal opinion.

Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are not expected to make the trip to Celta Vigo on Thursday

Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are not expected to make the trip to Celta Vigo on Thursday

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho watched his side draw with Swansea on Sunday

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho watched his side draw with Swansea on Sunday

'I don't think they will but I know that the players I choose will give everything, so it doesn't matter if I go with Darmian central defender, if I go with Carrick or Axel, I trust the boys.


'The spirit is amazing, the group is phenomenal, Marouane Fellaini and Paul Pogba will be back for that game, so a bit more options and we try with everything we have and we go again.' 

Mourinho is left with a number of problems in defence as well as other areas of the pitch.

Luke Shaw went off injured eight minutes into United's draw at Old Trafford

Luke Shaw went off injured eight minutes into United's draw at Old Trafford

Luke Shaw was replaced by Antonio Valencia eight minutes into United's 1-1 draw against Swansea on Sunday.

In the second half Eric Bailly also had to come off for Matteo Darmian. It is unlikely that either player will make the game on Thursday.

United will also be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Marcos Rojo.  

Pogba is expected to return to the centre of midfield as Mourinho attempts to plot a way to the Europa League final.       

Eric Bailly also had to leave the field of play with just 11 minutes remaining on Sunday

Eric Bailly also had to leave the field of play with just 11 minutes remaining on Sunday