Manchester United vs Saint-Etienne

Manchester United will be without Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick for Thursday’s first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie with Saint-Etienne.

Boss Jose Mourinho said captain Rooney and midfielder Carrick have „little muscular problems“ and will be rested.

„Wayne and Carrick, I don’t want to say ‘injuries’ because I don’t think we are speaking about injuries,“ he added.

Defender Phil Jones is out after sustaining a foot injury in the 0-0 draw with Hull City on 1 February.

Luke Shaw has received another setback, with Mourinho confirming the left-back will be left out of his squad for the fourth consecutive match.

The 21-year-old has returned from a double leg fracture he sustained last season, but has made just one appearance since November.

„He’s not playing tomorrow, because my team is playing well and I am happy with my back four – Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Daley Blind,“ Mourinho said.

Fellow defender Marcos Rojo is also available for selection.

Saint-Etienne captain Loic Perrin says his side have nothing to lose at Old Trafford.

„Initially we said ‘damn, that’s not the best draw’. But we’re playing in Europe to take part in exactly this type of match,“ he said.

„They’re a top European club who, not so long ago, were winning the Champions League.“

Perrin and his team-mates are used to facing Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who scored 14 goals against them during his spell at Paris St-Germain.

„He’s the type of player you dream about facing. It’s always amazing for us defenders to test ourselves against such world-class players,“ added Perrin.

„That’s what we all want, always, but at Manchester he’s not the only player of that calibre.“