Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Gives Update on Nemanja Matic After Midfielder Is Left Out of Liverpool Clash

Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Nemanja Matic faces a few weeks on the sidelines after picking up a knock in

Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Nemanja Matic faces a few weeks on the sidelines after picking up a knock in training.

Matic has been a vital player since Solskjaer's arrival at the club, but was replaced by young midfielder Scott McTominay in the lineup to face Liverpool on Sunday.

Nemanja Matic not in the United team today. Injured in training yesterday. Fears after initial assessment he could be out for up to a month but will have more scans next week. Would be a big blow.

— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonESPN) February 24, 2019

Speaking ahead of the match, Solskjaer confirmed that Matic was ruled out of contention after picking up an injury in training. He is quoted by the Manchester Evening News as saying: "He got injured during one of the training sessions a few days ago so we tried to get him fit for the game but it wasn’t to be. 

"He’ll probably be out for a couple of weeks so we’ll manage without.”

In Matic's absence, 22-year-old McTominay was named in the starting lineup for just the fourth time this season, and Solskjaer insisted that his side are no weaker with McTominay in the team.

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He added: "Scott’s played these games before, he’s an academy kid who knows the importance of these games. He’s got the same, some of the same attributes that Nemanja has so I’m sure he’ll slot in there and do well.”

United will also be without winger Anthony Martial for the clash against Liverpool as the Frenchman is currently struggling with a groin injury. However, there is some good news for United fans as Jesse Lingard was declared fit enough for a place on the United bench, despite picking up a hamstring injury in the 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League.

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Sunday's meeting between the two sides stands to be a decisive clash at the top of the Premier League table. Currently fourth, United could close the gap on Tottenham Hotspur to six points if they beat Liverpool, who will return to the top of the league table with at least a point.