Manchester United and Jose Mourinho were able to finally find all three points at the weekend as they put in a decent performance on their trip to Wales.
They are now placed in the 6th place in the points table and are far from genuine title contenders but the manager will know that his squad has the ability to turn things around for the rest of the season.
The manager was frustrated after the victory over Swansea and took a dig at two of the regular starters in his back-line. English internationals Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw were both a part of the squad for the game but Mourinho revealed that the duo asked him to leave them out.
The Portuguese manager, who had to use a completely makeshift backline for the game against Swansea, was not impressed with his players not ready to play through pain and said, “There is a difference between the brave, who want to play at any cost, and the ones for whom a little pain can make a difference.”
Though these comments were his way of asking his players for their commitment, it now looks like he has shot himself in the foot.
Having questioned Smalling’s ability to play through pain and questioning his fitness levels, reports suggest that the English international is now nursing an injury to his toe in a couple of places and may not play for the club until Christmas.
The manager already had Smalling take a couple of shots to play through pain in the game against Chelsea but he may have taken it a bit too far with his injury now ruling him out for atleast 4 weeks.
Mourinho has received criticism from all corners for his comments on the players and this injury will add more shame to his already controversy ridden stay at Old Trafford.
However, he was given some good news as well after reports suggested that the second player he criticized, Luke Shaw, might be fit for the game against Arsenal.
Manchester United host the Gunners after the international break and Mourinho will miss the likes of Eric Bailly, Antonio Valencia and Marouane Fellaini along with Smalling but Luke Shaw revealed that he might be back in action for that crunch game.
He is not a part of the national team that will play Scotland and Spain in the international break and is expected to be back fit to face Wenger’s side.
But whether he is picked is something that is completely up to the manager.
Not much has gone right for the Old Trafford outfit this season and if there are a couple more injuries leading into the busy festive schedule, United are dangerously staring down the slope.