Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick says he fears midfielder Paul Pogba will not be available for the side’s upcoming clashes against Arsenal and Chelsea. It comes following the Red Devils’ 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Liverpool on Tuesday.
The heavy defeat has seen their chances of a top-four finish take a blow, with United currently sitting sixth in the table, three points behind Tottenham in the final Champions League qualifying place and having played a game more than Antonio Conte's side. It gives an advantage to both sides heading into the derby between Chelsea and Arsenal on Wednesday night, with at least one of the two sides set to extend their lead over them.
Pogba’s injury came early into the game, adding to the injuries of midfielders Fred and Scott McTominay, forcing playmaker Bruno Fernandes to play in a deeper role that isn’t natural to him. Discussing the injury to MUTV after the game, Rangnick said: “He [Pogba] pulled a calf muscle. I fear he will not be available for Arsenal [on Saturday] or for Chelsea [on April 28].”
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The next two games for them could be key, with fixtures dwindling down before the season ends. They currently sit level with the Gunners on points, though Mikel Arteta ’s men have played two less, with the Blues eight clear and with three games in hand.
With Arteta facing United at the weekend, it could be the ideal time as their own form has dipped in the race for a Champions League finish. The Spaniard has seen his side lose three games on the bounce since returning from the international break.
Discussing how close he is to finding out why they’ve been losing, he said in his pre-match press conference for Chelsea : “I’m very close. Our efficiency in front of goal, and what the teams have produced in our own box with the amount of chances they created, there is no relationship there at all.
“So we have expected to win all the matches and we have periods when we have to be very critical with ourselves because we haven’t had good periods, especially in the first half against Palace, and the first 20 or 30 minutes against Brighton. But for the rest I think the team has produced more than enough to get a completely different outcome from the matches. It’s down to us, that’s the good thing.”
As for Thomas Tuchel, while his team seem safe in third with their buffer, he has urged his side to confirm a top-four finish heading into the London derby and the United clash: “We don't know if we can finish second or not sure we don’t finish fourth – I’m not sure about it until the season is finished. We will fight hard. We have a crucial four matches coming in another short period of time within like two weeks: Arsenal, West Ham, Man United, Everton. Two home, two away.”
The loss of Pogba, as well as other players around him, may make a top-four finish just that step too far for a struggling Manchester United. With the two London sides looking to take advantage in their own pursuit of a strong finish, it could have come at an ideal time for them.
