Key injuries mar victory in France

MANCHESTER United secured Europa League progress at a cost, with match-winner Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Michael Carrick limping off to put their EFL Cup final hopes in jeopardy.

Jose Mourinho named a surprisingly strong line-up considering they arrived in France boasting a 3-0 lead for the last-32 return leg.

In-form Mkhitaryan went off after 25 minutes in St Etienne with a hamstring issue, having set United on course for a 1-0 win by directing home a fine Juan Mata cross.

The 16th-minute strike was the fifth goal the Armenian had been involved in in his last six matches, underlining just how large a blow his absence against Southampton at Wembley this Sunday might be.

Carrick may also have sustained a calf complaint before departing in the second half, moments before Eric Bailly saw red after picking up two yellow cards in 185 seconds after the hour-mark.

United held firm to keep a fourth successive clean sheet in European competition and secure their place in Friday's Europa League draw.

Pre-match odds as long as 40-1 on St Etienne going through highlighted what an uphill task the hosts faced, yet their fans turned out in their droves at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

Les Verts' intensity and endeavour had proved problematic last week, but this time Mourinho's men did not attack with the same numbers that saw them caught out last time.

But when United first threatened, they left St Etienne with a bloody nose and all-but settled the tie.

Mata sent in a superb, low cross from the left flank and Mkhitaryan provided a deft touch, having burst in-between the home side's centre-backs to the edge of the six-yard box.

St Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier prevented matters quickly being compounded by an own goal, although United's comfort was tempered by Mkhitaryan pulling up injured.

Mourinho expects influential duo Mkhitaryan and Carrick to miss the EFL Cup final.

"Honestly, I don't think he is fit," Mourinho said of Mkhitaryan. "I think him and Michael are both out, but this is based on my experience, not based on my medical knowledge and not based on tests."

There is little let-up on the horizon and the United boss was irked by the Football Association having already announced the FA Cup quarter-final with Chelsea will be on Monday, March 13, sandwiched between their Europa League last-16 first and second legs.

Mourinho was perplexed by the decision to announce the date before Friday's European draw and took a shot at the organisers.

He said: "I feel really surprised that the decision is made before our draw in Europe.

"Imagine we play Chelsea on Monday and then we have to go to the second match in Europe in Russia, Turkey or Greece.

"I think once more the interests, they go in front of the clubs and English football's interests, and nobody cares about it."


* Wayne Rooney's agent Paul Stretford is in China to see if he can negotiate a deal for the England captain to leave Manchester United, according to reports.

Reports in several national newspapers today suggest the forward could even head to the Far East before the CSL transfer window shuts next Tuesday.