Marouane Fellaini is likely to be sidelined for about four weeks, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed.
It had been thought Manchester United’s manager was keen to get rid of the midfielder, but this setback means he is unlikely to be leaving Old Trafford this month.
“He’ll be out for a few weeks. He’ll probably be at least three or four weeks. He’s got a calf problem and that’s sad,” Solskjaer said.
“There’s X factors in different players and we all know Felli’s X-factor and then again he’ll be working hard to get back in when all the big games are coming as well.”
It means Scott McTominay is unlikely to go anywhere.
The Scotland international has been linked with a move to Celtic, but Solskjaer said: “Scott is working hard. He’s a young boy I still believe in, we’re working on his contract, with the injuries of Felli as well and the squad we have I’m not sure we’re going to see any movement.”
Speaking about injuries to other players, the boss said ahead of the Brighton game: “There’s not many issues. I think just small niggles, as there always is at this point of the season.
“Chris [Smalling], Marcos [Rojo] just started running lightly, so not fit yet. Alexis [Sanchez] has trained all week, so hopefully he’ll be available.”
A win against Brighton at Old Trafford would make it seven consecutive wins for United under Solskjaer, having beaten Spurs 1-0 at Wembley in their most recent game.
“As I’ve said before you go into very single game as a Manchester United coach as a player or manager thinking you’ll win the next one, that’s just the nature of this club.
“We’ve had six good games but the next one is the most important one. Everyone said about Tottenham being the test, I don’t think that’s a test in attitude, the players are gonna be up for that game, I’m looking for a reaction in a home game against a team you should dominate and be better than, that’s the attitude if we go out there and do it in these games it’s these are the points that will get you up the table.