2 key starters confirmed to return for Man Utd against Spurs

Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday in a key game at the top of the Premier League table.

We currently sit in second place, level on points with the North London side ahead of this Saturday’s lunchtime kickoff.

Jose Mourinho has had a lot of key players missing through injury of late – Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all sidelined.

However, we will head into this weekend’s fixture with two key players returning.

Mourinho confirmed last week that Eric Bailly would return this week.  The Ivorian was not part of the matchday squad that beat Swansea City 2-0 in the EFL Cup last night.  That all but confirms the centre-back will be make his return versus Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

Further positive news is that Phil Jones has told the boss that he is ready to face Spurs too.  The centre-back came off injured midway through the first half at Huddersfield Town last weekend with an apparent leg injury.

The England international was an unused substitute midweek among a bench of regular starters that included Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata.

Jose Mourinho has been quoted on MUTV as saying he was confident Jones will be ready for the weekend:

“I think Jones will be [back] because, today, he was on the bench and he told me he will be ready in case I need him. So I believe he’ll be even better for Saturday.

“Apart from that, I have no news and no hopes [for any other players].”

Phil Jones had previously played every minute in the Premier League for us this season prior to his injury at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Eric Bailly’s return will be significant for us as he has had Harry Kane in his pocket in the past.  The Tottenham striker is in great form going into this weekend’s game.