Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirms Romelu Lukaku to miss Cardiff clash | OneFootball

Manchester United caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that Romelu Lukaku will not be in the squad for Saturday’s trip to Cardiff City.

“Lukaku has had a couple of days off, I’ve not seen him yet and I’ve not seen Alexis because he’s on his way back as well,” Solskjaer told reporters at a press conference on Friday.

“I’m looking forward to seeing them.”

According to the Daily Mail, Lukaku has been granted compassionate leave and is also likely to miss the Boxing Day visit of Huddersfield Town.

The Belgian’s absence means Marcus Rashford is likely to start up front against the Bluebirds, and Solskjaer revealed that he has sought advice from first-team coaches Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna about his first Red Devils team selection.

“Of course, it’s Michael [Carrick] and Kieran [McKenna] who have been here for the whole season,” added the Norwegian.

“They’ve had their say and input, but there are so many games in the next 10, 15 days, so it’s about picking a team that you think is going to get results.

”We need results but, then again, every player needs to know that they’re probably going to get their chance in this period, because that’s just the nature of the game over here in England, that we have to rotate.

“Kieran and Michael have been great, I have to say. It’s great being back home and seeing the development already, because I played with Michael, how good a coach and man-manager he is already, so it’s been really helpful.

“The job now is to get to know the players, observe them, see the qualities that we’ve got.

“Of course, I’ve seen more or less every game from Norway when I’ve had time from the other job [as Molde boss]. But, to get to know the players and think about what I can do to improve them, that’s my job.”