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Man Utd team news vs Arsenal: Early squad hint as Pogba joins six injury doubts at hotel
MANCHESTER UNITED have been boosted by the return of several injured players to their squad ahead of tonight's Premier League clash with Arsenal (8pm).
Premier League: Arsenal vs Manchester United match preview
Manchester United have welcomed a number of injury doubts back to their travelling squad ahead of tonight’s meeting with Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho’s side are currently in the midst of an injury crisis with up to 12 players potentially sidelined for the visit of the Gunners.
However, a number of those stars labelled as fitness doubts were seen arriving at the Hilton Garden Hotel as the Red Devils gathered last night.
Paul Pogba was also spotted at the hotel in Trafford, with United players and staff staying there in order to avoid traffic ahead of tomorrow’s match.
The French midfielder was pictured performing a bizarre gesture to waiting photographers as he left training yesterday following his latest reported bust-up with Mourinho.
The United boss was said to be fuming with his side following their 2-2 draw with Southampton last weekend and embarked on a dressing room rant after the final whistle.
Mourinho supposedly called Pogba a ‘virus’ following a below-par display against Saints, with the 25-year-old hitting back by criticising his manager’s tactics.
Pogba reportedly accused United of adopting a negative approach, having urged his side to ‘attack, attack, attack’ earlier in the season.
The former Juventus ace was stripped of the vice-captaincy as a result of his initial outburst, while a training ground altercation was also caught on camera.
However, the World Cup winner appears set to feature in some capacity against Arsenal despite continued tense relations with Mourinho.
Meanwhile, the United manager will have been boosted by the presence of central defenders Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo at the hotel after their respective injuries.
Rojo has not played all season while Smalling and Bailly both missed the match against Southampton, forcing Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic to be deployed in central defence.
The return of the trio bolsters Mourinho’s options while full-backs Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian were also spotted and could feature, having struggled for fitness recently.
Luke Shaw was forced off against Saints and is doubtful while Ashley Young is suspended for the clash with the Gunners after picking up his fifth booking of the season at the weekend.
Marcus Rashford was also substituted with a knock but was snapped arriving at the hotel, boosting his chances of a quick return to action.
United had been expected to field a makeshift XI against the Gunners due to their injury woe, although Mourinho refused to elaborate when asked for more details on which players were available in his pre-match press conference.