Latest Injury Update Ahead Of United Vs Sunderland

Jose Mourinho has revealed Luke Shaw's injury spell is thankfully coming to an end, even if the Manchester United defender is not expected to feature against Sunderland on Boxing Day.

The left-back is seemingly close to making a comeback, however, having frustratingly been out of action since the 4-1 EFL Cup victory over West Ham United at Old Trafford on 30 November.

"The squad is good," Mourinho explained during an interview with MUTV on Friday afternoon. "We don't have many injuries. Even the Luke Shaw injury is coming to an end. We are fine. People are happy." 

Expanding on the morale of the group, the manager continued: "Obviously, in the squad, there are always people who are not playing so much, that they always feel a little bit of frustration because a football player wants to play and not be on the bench. But they are friends, they have very good relationships.

"The period of bad results was a good period because it made people live together in a difficult moment, stick together, there was no conflict and everybody was in the same boat. So the group is very strong."

Eric Bailly, who suffered a knee injury during the 2-1 win at Crystal Palace on 14 December, was pictured at the Aon Training Complex on Wednesday and is available for selection against the Black Cats.

"It’s good to have everyone available apart from Luke Shaw, who is not far [away]," Mourinho said in his press conference. "In the central defender position, we now have all of them. 

"Chris Smalling is back, Eric Bailly is back, Phil Jones is fine, Marcos Rojo is fine, Daley Blind is fine, so it’s a position where it’s very important to have some stability in the options. We were in a difficult position a couple of months ago but now we are safe. We know that Bailly is going to the African Cup [of Nations] in January but, for the next three matches, we have them."

Mourinho did not comment on Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who suffered a knee injury in the recent win over Tottenham Hotspur and was predicted to return on Boxing Day, but seemed to suggest the Armenian could be available. The team for that match will be officially confirmed at exactly 14:00 GMT, one hour ahead of kick-off at Old Trafford.