VIGO, Spain -- Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Manchester United could have as many as five players returning from injury against Celta Vigo in Thursday's Europa League semifinal first-leg in Spain.
The United manager, who confirmed that left-back Luke Shaw will miss the rest of the season with suspected ankle ligament damage, has bemoaned the team's injury record in recent weeks, with defenders Phil Jones and Chris Smalling criticised publicly for failing to return quicker from foot and knee injuries respectively.
Smalling and Jones, both injured on international duty with England in March, returned to training at Carrington on Wednesday ahead of United's flight to Vigo, and Mourinho said both are fit for selection, with Eric Bailly, Paul Pogba and Juan Mata all ready to start after recent injuries.
"Smalling and Jones are back, and Pogba," Mourinho said. "Bailly is ready to play -- he is this kind of personality that fights against every problem unless it is impossible.
"But Luke Shaw is injured and it is obviously an important injury. We are still waiting for one more medical opinion for our medical team to know what to do, but no matter what, he is out for the season, that is confirmed.
"It is very important that the players have come back on time, though. We have two matches in one week against Celta. It is important to have them back for the Premier League too, but I think it is too late [in the league].
"In past month of April, we played nine matches, seven in the league, and we had too many problems, too many players absent, players playing 750-800 minutes of football, and we paid a price.
"We played against fresh teams, but in the moment, the picture is different because the Europa League becomes even more important."
Mourinho is expected to start with Bailly and Daley Blind at centre-back, with Smalling and Jones providing back-up from the bench.
The United manager said he could start with Mata, who returned to the substitutes' bench against Swansea at the weekend, despite admitting the Spain international's recent groin surgery will prevent him from finishing the game.
"Mata was injured for a while, but he is ready to play," Mourinho said. "He is experienced and one of the few players who have played Euro semifinals and finals, so it is nothing new for him
"The only risk is that he can probably not play 90 minutes. If he starts, he cannot finish the game, but if from the bench, no problem. If selected, he can play perfectly."