Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has arrived at the Lowry Hotel with the rest of the squad amid reports he has not given up hope of playing againstLiverpoolon Sunday.
The Spaniard pulled up with a groin injury on international duty in midweek and was initially ruled out of Sunday’s huge clash with the Premier League leaders at Old Trafford.
ButThe Timesreported on Saturday that De Gea still believes there is a slim chance he could feature after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played down his injury.
And he was amongst the United squad that arrived at the Lowry Hotel to prepare for the game, with Anthony Martial and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also in attendance as they get set to return to the fold.
De Gea was one of three goalkeepers in the squad along with Sergio Romero, expected to be his replacement, and back-up Lee Grant.
It is likely he will not be risked but there is still some hope he could feature with a late fitness test expected.
“I don’t expect him to play but it wasn’t as bad as feared,” Solskjaer said at his pre-Liverpool press conference.
“When I saw the game I thought that’s him out until next international break because we’ve had some long-term muscle injuries but it’s not as bad as feared.”
Martial has not featured in the last eight games due to a muscular injury, but his return provides a welcome boost to a side devoid of creativity and goals so far this season.
He has already been set a challenge by Solskjaer – to add more goals to their side.
Martial revealed: “Now that I’ve taken the no.9 shirt back once again, all he [Ole] has said to me is that I have a lot of responsibility and that I have to score goals, so that’s what I am trying to do. “
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Paul Pogba and Luke Shaw were not seen arriving with the squad, however, with the game set to have come too soon after their recent injury problems.
Wan-Bissaka could be in line for an instant recall, whilst youngster Brandon Williams was again included in the squad along with fellow academy graduates Axel Tuanzebe, James Garner, Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes and Mason Greenwood.
(Man Utd squad) : David de Gea, Sergio Romero, Lee Grant, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Axel Tuanzebe, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo , Ashley Young, Brandon Williams, James Garner, Scott McTominay, Andreas Pereira, Fred, Juan Mata, Tahith Chong, Angel Gomes, Daniel James, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood.
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