Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho suggested Luke Shaw is in line for a reprieve against Swansea amid continuing speculation about the duo’s relationship.
The 22-year-old left-back started United’s FA Cup quarter-final win against Brighton before the international break, only to be hauled off at half-time, with his frustration compounded by his manager’s post-match comments.
That was just the latest issue between Mourinho and Shaw, with reports suggesting the England international will leave Old Trafford this summer.
However, the left-back is in line to be involved against Swansea on Saturday and could even start if Ashley Young does not overcome his knee complaint.
“Ashley Young was available to play against Brighton and I started with Luke Shaw, so that’s not a problem.”
Young is a doubt due to the issue he sustained towards the end of England’s 1-1 draw with Italy, while back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero is out for a “few weeks” after being involved in a collision on Argentina duty.
The boss also confirms Sergio Romero and Daley Blind are the only members of the first-team squad unavailable for Saturday’s clash with Swansea. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/sOaVfz3Jeg
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 30, 2018
Daley Blind is back in training after injury but not available to feature against Swansea, but Phil Jones, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo and Scott McTominay are in contention.
However, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is obviously one less option for United after completing his move to the LA Galaxy.
“He’s a huge, big player that top football, European football is losing now – and will lose forever because he will not be back to this level of football,” Mourinho said.
Great things also come to an end and it is time to move on after two fantastic seasons with Manchester United. Thank you to the club, the fans, the team, the coach, the staff and everybody who shared with me this part of my history. #foreverred pic.twitter.com/vo1Gs3SUHL
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) March 22, 2018
“But fantastic for him in this period, I think it is a fantastic way for him not to go from being a player to being a former player.
“I think this period with Galaxy, these couple of years, probably will be very good for him and American football.
“Because what he can do, what he can teach, what he can attract, his personality, passion for football, the level of professionalism he always has.
“Even his recovery was an example of what a professional should be, I think (what) MLS and the US as a football country is going to get is more than what Zlatan is going to get.
“Because for him I think it will be just a way for him to enjoy the last year or last couple of years of his football.”
Jose on Swansea: “Since Carlos [Carvalhal] arrived it’s obvious the team has improved a lot, they have got points that many wouldn’t expect them to have got. So, we will face a team that are very well organised, especially from a defensive point of view.” #MUFC pic.twitter.com/LeicI4mvWH
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 30, 2018
United have won twice without conceding at Swansea this season, but they arrive at Old Trafford in far better form under Carlos Caravahal.
The Portuguese has also been making headlines with his expressive press conference comments, saying ahead of this match that Mourinho was “our king of football”.
“I spoke with him last night – he said I was the king of the coaches, not the king of football,” the United boss said.
Carlos on @ManUtd boss Jose Mourinho…
➡️ https://t.co/Jdk1oX7TpH pic.twitter.com/OSGkWS8cic
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) March 30, 2018
“And he said that since my winning period with Porto, and since the moment I left the country, I opened the door for more Portuguese coaches to leave, which is something that I know is true.
“But I speak with Carlos a couple of times every week. This week was not different.
“So last night we spoke a little and I thanked him for his nice words because one thing is to think, and one thing is to say.”
