Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho allayed fears over Romelu Lukaku’s head injury as the Portuguese revealed the Belgian will be back within a week after getting hurt in United’s draw with Southampton on Saturday.
“I would say a week (out for Lukaku). It’s nothing really important – just a little protection, but no problem,” Mourinho told Sky Sports on Monday.
Lukaku, United’s marquee signing fo 2017, collapsed in a heap after an accidental clash of heads with Southampton defender Wesley Hoedt and had to be be stretchered off with oxygen support and many feared the burly striker would be a long-term casualty.
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And the fact that Zlatan Ibrahimovic was also ruled out for the entire month of January meant that United were light in the forwards department but Mourinho was confident that his players will adjust.
The 24-year-old, however, is not expected to feature in United’s FA Cup home tie against Derby County on Friday after missing Monday’s Premier League clash with his former side Everton.
Frenchman Anthony Martial started as United’s lone forward in Lukaku’s absence and scored, as did winger Jesse Lingard, to get United’s Premier League campaign back on track with a 2-0 win after a series of three consecutive draws had seen the Red Devils slip to third place.
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United next take on Derby County in the FA Cup and Marcus Rashford is expected to start at the apex of the Red Devils’ formation while Lukaku will be in contention to feature in United’s next Premier League game, a home tie against Stoke City on Monday.
The Red Devils are second in the league table, 12 points behind leaders Manchester City, who have a game in hand. Third-placed Chelsea, trail United by two points but could overtake them if they manage to beat arch-rivals Arsenal on Wednesday.