Jose Mourinho confirms Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic “ready” to feature in Manchester United’s clash with Newcastle
Red Devils currently trail leaders Manchester City by eight points
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JOSE MOURINHO has confirmed Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo are all "ready" to feature against Newcastle.
The news will be a likely boost to Manchester United fans as defeat at Chelsea last week left them eight points behind leaders Manchester City.
Ibrahimovic is — literally — like a new signing having been released following a serious knee injury last season, before making his return.
While Pogba, who started the season so well has been a big miss and Rojo was arguably United's best defender towards the end of the last campaign before also picking up a serious knee injury.
Speaking to ahead of the clash with Newcastle, Mourinho insisted: "The players that stayed here and [were] recovering from injuries, even the ones that are recovering from big injuries, they are ready to play.”
When asked to elaborate on who he meant, he replied: "Pogba, Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo."
All three were injured during European action — with the latter pair yet to feature at all this season.
Ibrahimovic landed awkwardly late on during the Europa League quarter-final second leg clash with Anderlecht, with Rojo's injury happening in the semi-final second leg.
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Pogba, meanwhile, pulled up during the Champions League clash against Basel.
And Mourinho was keen to stress the Frenchman's absence was evidence of how important he is to the team.
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He added: "You can clearly see Manchester United this season before Paul's injury and after Paul's injury.
It's as simple as that."
Mourinho hopes to pair Ibrahimovic with Romelu Lukaku in a bid to catch runaway leaders City.