Jose Mourinho could be without seven senior players against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Saturday, including his entire first choice defence, as the Manchester United manager faces up to a worsening injury crisis.

Centre-halves Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling will miss the game as well as suspended striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic while Mourinho has serious doubts over the fitness of captain Wayne Rooney, midfielder Marouane Fellaini and full backs Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw.

Rooney is rated as “60-40” to miss the visit of Arsenal after suffering a swollen knee on England duty that prompted the forward to return to Manchester on Monday for further assessment.