Zlatan Ibrahimovic has reportedly was included on Monday in the Manchester United squad for the group stage of the Champions League.
The Swedish, who rejoined Manchester United this summer, also made the cut despite being out of game since last April with a knee injury againts Anderlecht.
However, the 35-year-old striker is not expected to be fit 100% after Christmas after psassing a serious knee injury couple months ago, but he will be qualifying for the Red Devils’ Champions League squad againts Basel on Sept 13, Benfica and CSKA Moscow.
“He will not be ready for the group phase of the Champions League,” Jose Mourinho said in an interviews with English newspaper.
“I din’t think there any chance of that. Do we have space in the Champions League list to have him? Yes. So we don’t need to leave any player outside of the list.”
“But I’m not thinking Zlatan to play any part of the group phase. Hopefully, he can play in the knockout phase but for that we need to finish top too.” former Chelsea manager added.
While Diego Costa, he was forgotten by Chelsea after his moving to Atletico Madrid suspended by manager Antonio Conte. The Spaniard insisted to play at La Liga this season and refused any offer from the Blues.
For their part, Liverpool has named their playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who had unsuccessfully requested his transfer to FC Barcelona this summer.
Manager Jurgen Klopp believes the Brazilian will be available to play with his team-mates in the Champions League until the top. And the Germany hoped Coutinho to stay at Anfield this season.
Diego Costa out of Chelsea squad for the Champions League this season. (Source:www.skysports.com)
At Tottenham Hotspur, super hero Harry Kane’s linning, Vincent Jansen, was left behind after a failed first season with the Spurs, manager Mauricio Pochettino is prefering his last rookie, Fernando Llorente.
Tottenham finished at second in the English Premier League table standings last season. They managed 86 points after 38 matches, just 7 points behind the reigning champion Chelsea.
On the other hand, Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala was included in the list of manager Pep Guardiola, despite statements by the Spaniard manager, who had told that he no longer relies in the Frenchman.
