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Football

22nd Oct 2018

Juventus dealt late injury blow ahead of Manchester United game

Simon Lloyd

Mario Mandzukic

Juventus will be without Mario Mandzukic for their Champions League game against Manchester United on Tuesday.

Mandzukic, whose extra-time goal saw Croatia beat England in the World Cup semi-final in summer, has sprained his ankle during a training session and is now expected to miss game at Old Trafford.

The striker has four goals so far this season and, as the above tweet points out, has appeared to form a good relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo during his early weeks at the club following his move from Real Madrid.

Juve are looking to maintain their 100 percent start to their Champions League campaign having taken maximum points from their opening games at home to Valencia and away at Young Boys of Bern.

It was confirmed earlier on Monday afternoon that United will be without Alexis Sanchez for the game. The Chilean international appeared as a second-half substitute in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at the weekend after returning from international duty.

Mourinho told reporters Sanchez will be out of the game, with Anthony Martial likely to start on the left wing after his two goals on Saturday.

As well as Mandzukic, Juventus will be without former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can for the game who is also recovering from injury.