Mourinho's Team News For Celta Vigo Clash

Jose Mourinho has revealed that as many as five first-team players could return to the Manchester United line-up for the Europa League semi-final first leg against Celta Vigo.

The Reds held a training session on Wednesday morning before flying to northern Spain, with defenders Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Eric Bailly among those involved at the Aon Training Complex.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference at the Balaidos Municipal Stadium, Mourinho gave an update on his players and believes that those who are returning are doing so at a crucial time.

“Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are back, and Paul Pogba," he told reporters. "In relation to the Europa League, it’s very important. We have two matches in one week against Celta, it’s important to have everybody back. In relation to the Premier League, I think it’s too late because, in the month of April, we played nine matches, seven of them in the Premier League.

"We had too many problems, to many players absent - because of that, we had players that had to play 750 or 800 minutes of football and we paid the price. We played against fresh teams and were in accumulation. At this moment, the perspective is different, because the Europa League becomes even more important for us. It’s good to have three players back that give us more options.

“Juan Mata was injured for a while, but he’s ready to play. He’s experienced, he’s one of the few players that played European semi-finals and finals, so it’s nothing new for him. The only risk is that he probably can’t play 90 minutes, the risk is that if he starts he doesn’t finish the game. From the bench, no problem for him to play, so he’s selected and he can perfectly play tomorrow."

The boss was also asked about recent injuries to defensive duo Bailly and Luke Shaw, saying: “Bailly is ready to play. He’s this kind of personality that fights against every problem, unless it’s impossible. Luke Shaw is injured and it’s an important injury, obviously. But we are still waiting for one more medical opinion for the medical department to decide what to do. It doesn’t matter what [the outcome is], he’s out for the season, that’s confirmed."