Red Devils host PSV, City travel to Juve

Manchester United strikers Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial have been passed fit for Wednesday's Champions League home game with PSV Eindhoven, manager Louis van Gaal revealed on Tuesday.

Published : Nov 25, 2015 16:03 IST , Chennai

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal during the press conference.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal during the press conference.
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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal during the press conference.

Manchester United strikers Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial have been passed fit for Wednesday's Champions League home game with PSV Eindhoven, manager Louis van Gaal revealed on Tuesday.

The two players missed United's 2-1 win at Watford in the Premier League on Saturday, captain Rooney due to illness and Martial because of a foot injury sustained on international duty with France. But they took part in training at United's Carrington training base on Tuesday along with midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who has missed United's last two games with a calf problem.

"Rooney is recovered and Martial can play," Van Gaal told MUTV. "Fellaini can play. So that's great news, I think."

Phil Jones (ankle) and Ander Herrera (hamstring), injured against Watford, did not participate in training and have been ruled out of Wednesday's match.

"Jones and Herrera cannot play," Van Gaal said. "It's too soon because they also need recovery time."

Michael Carrick, who hurt his ankle on England duty, will also miss the game, along with long-term absentees Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia. Bastian Schweinsteiger also missed training, but Van Gaal said he was just observing a recovery day. United top Group B and will qualify for the Champions League last 16 if they beat PSV at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Juve to target City ‘weak points’

Manchester City travel to Turin looking for revenge following their 2-1 defeat to Juventus at the Etihad in September, as well as redemption from fans after being humbled 4-1 at home by Liverpool in the weekend.

Massimiliano Allegri watched Liverpool take an injury-hit City side apart and although the Juve coach hailed the pedigree of Manuel Pellegrini's side, he says there will be no charity on offer in Turin.

City, who are already qualified, would secure top spot in Group D with a win. A Juventus victory, meanwhile, would book their place in the knockout phase and send them two points clear of City at the top.

“I saw the game, Liverpool played really well, they pressed City hard and created a lot of chances. Now, it's up to us to try and capitalise on their weak points to get the result we need,” Allegri told reporters in Turin on Tuesday.

Prior to their defeat to Liverpool, City enjoyed a nine-game unbeaten run which included seven wins. But a rash of injuries to key players has left the Citizens sorely exposed. Centre-back and captain Vincent Kompany, as well as forwards Wilfried Bony, David Silva and Samir Nasri are still sidelined through injury.

But Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio says the Bianconeri are paying little attention to those absences.

“It won't change anything for us. Even though they don't have much history in Europe, City have quality throughout their squad. I'm expecting a really difficult game, irrespective of who plays. We know how much they want to finish top of the group so I'm sure both sides will fight to the very finish tomorrow,” said Marchisio.

While Pellegrini looks at his options ahead of Wednesday's clash, Allegri will be doing the same as he counts the players on the treatment table.

Juventus will be without several midfield players, notably Sami Khedira, after a scar from a recent thigh injury flared up while he was on international duty with Germany. Also missing are Roberto Pereyra, Kwadwo Asamoah and Simone Padoin, while Uruguayan midfielder Martin Caceres will have a late fitness test on a right thigh problem.

Allegri did indicate that France left-back Patrice Evra, who suffered an ankle knock in Saturday's 1-0 win over AC Milan, “has recovered”. Although he won't name his squad until Wednesday, Evra is expected to play.

Other matches:

Malmo v PSG; Borussia Mönchengladbach v Sevilla; Atletico Madrid v Galatasaray; Shakhtar v Real Madrid

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