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Triple Man United injury boost delights Mourinho

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has been given an incredible triple injury boost ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Newcastle United.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Marcos Rojo are all available for United's Premier League clash on Saturday, the manager confirmed.

Striker Ibrahimovic, who signed a new one-year deal in August, has not played since suffering a knee ligament injury in the Europa League clash with Anderlecht in April.

Rojo, who also suffered a knee injury in that quarterfinal match at Old Trafford, has likewise missed the entire 2017-18 season to date, while Pogba has not featured since injuring his hamstring in the Champions League win over Basel in September.

Mourinho says all three are in contention to face Newcastle this weekend, and the club has confirmed the players are with the squad for the visit of Rafael Benitez's side.

"The players that stayed here and [were] recovering from injuries, even the ones that are recovering from big injuries, they are ready to play," Mourinho told MUTV.

When asked to name the long-term absentees who are returning, he said: "Pogba, Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo."

United will welcome back their three stars with open arms. Pic: Getty
United will welcome back their three stars with open arms. Pic: Getty

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Mourinho described Ibrahimovic's recovery as "incredible", with the 36-year-old initially expected to be out until at least December.

"With Zlatan, last season we played with him every minute almost until he was injured; this season, we learn how to play without him but he's a very important player for us," he said.

"Of course, incredible personality to fight such an important injury. We were all saying in 2017 he will be back but one thing is December 31, 2017 and another thing is mid-November."

Mourinho added Pogba's return is likely to herald a different tactical approach, with United having struggled to match their impressive displays of the opening weeks of the season during the France star's absence.

"You can see that there was, and now I can speak because he's back, but you can clearly see Manchester United this season before Paul's injury and after Paul's injury," said Mourinho.

"There are qualities in our football that influence our approach in matches, with Pogba and without Pogba, it's as simple as that."