Ange explains Sonny absence

Ange Postecoglou has explained why Heung-Min Son is not part of our matchday squad for today's clash with Manchester United.

The forward, who went down in apparent discomfort before being substituted in Thursday night's Europa League clash with Qarabag, was a doubt for today's visit to Old Trafford but there was hope that he would be able to make the squad.

However, as confirmed earlier today, our captain has not recovered from the issue which forced him off in the 3-0 win over the Azerbaijani champions with our Head Coach, Ange Postecoglou, citing the short turnaround from Thursday night and therefore lack of recovery time as the reason for Sonny not making today's squad.

"It's a short turn around, obviously, from Thursday night and he just wasn't right for today, so we go without him," Ange said ahead of the game.

On whether or not Sonny's absence was a blow, he continued: "Yes, but we've had to suffer those things a fair bit during my time here, key players missing out, and you have to learn to cope without them.

"It's Timo's position, it's where he's most comfortable and why we brought him to the club, for situations like this, and he gets his opportunity today."