Man Utd given double fitness boost ahead of Liverpool clash

Joe Wright

Man Utd given double fitness boost ahead of Liverpool clash image

Manchester United duo Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Luke Shaw are fit to return in Monday's Premier League clash against Liverpool.

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England fullback Shaw has not featured since the 3-1 defeat to Watford on Sept. 18 as a result of a muscle complaint.

Mkhitaryan, meanwhile, was last involved in the 2-1 derby loss at home to Manchester City on Sept. 10, having battled to recover full fitness following a thigh injury.

But United boss Jose Mourinho has indicated both players will be available for the meeting at Anfield, according to MUTV, while there are no further injury concerns following the international break.

Mourinho insisted he has no issue with players leaving for international matches during a busy stage of the season, and was especially pleased to see Ander Herrera earn a first Spain call-up, while Jesse Lingard made his first two appearances for England.

"I like my players to go to the international teams," Mourinho said. "I know that other managers don't like it. I know that other managers they even try to stop them to go.

"I know there is sometimes also a bit of a fake injury to stop people going. I'm not like that. I'm always very proud of my players to be selected. 

"One was a debutant, the other was a call-up to the Spanish team. It's obviously important for them and it's good for me and I think also the club feels proud of it."

Joe Wright

Joe Wright Photo

Joe is a Senior Editor at Sporting News. He was previously a sub editor and writer for Goal.com before spending six years as part of the Stats Perform editorial news service, covering major global sports including football, tennis, boxing, NBA, rugby union and athletics. Joe has reported live on some of the biggest games in football, including two UEFA Champions League finals, Euro 2016, the Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 World Cup final at the end of a month in Russia.