Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed his captain Wayne Rooney and defender Phil Jones will miss the second leg of the Europa League round of 32 clash against Saint-Etienne due to injuries.
The 31-year-old forward was an unused substitute in United's 2-0 victory over Watford and since then, he has not been included in any of the matchday squad. The centre-back started in his side's goalless draw against Hull City on 1 February and has been struggling with injury.
David de Gea and Antonio Valencia missed United's last fixture against Blackburn Rovers as the Red Devils came from behind to beat the Championship side in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Mourinho has explained why the star duo were dropped for the clash, while has also raised concern over Rooney and Jones' involvement in the EFL Cup final tie against Southampton at Wembley on Sunday.
"De Gea was rested. Rooney is injured. Jones is injured. I don't think they will recover [to face Saint-Etienne on Wednesday]. Valencia was rested but Rooney and Jones haven't trained with the team yet so I don't think they will be there for Wednesday," Mourinho told United's official website.
United have a first leg advantage of 3-0 against Saint-Etienne. A clean sheet at Old Trafford means the Ligue 1 outfit do not have the advantage of an away goal and they have an uphill task to beat them in the return leg.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his first hat-trick for the Premier League side and he will be hoping to continue his impressive form against Saint-Etienne, if he travels with the squad to France this midweek.
