De Gea's adductor injury confirmed by Spain coach
Manchester United look set to be without David de Gea for their crunch clash against Liverpool after he suffered an injury in Spain's Euro 2020 qualifier against Sweden.
David de Gea suffered an adductor injury during Spain's Euro 2020 qualification-sealing draw in Sweden, head coach Robert Moreno confirmed. De Gea hobbled off after an hour of the 1-1 draw at the Friends Arena, where substitute Rodrigo Moreno came off the bench to snatch an equaliser in stoppage time on Tuesday.
De Gea left the field injured on 59 minutes
The news comes as a huge blow to Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ahead of Sunday's highly anticipated showdown against Premier League leaders Liverpool at Old Trafford. If De Gea fails to recover in time, Sergio Romero will be drafted in to face Liverpool on Sunday. "De Gea was treated at the break and decided to continue," Moreno explained after the United star appeared discomforted following a first-half clearance. "He complained of sharp pain to his adductor." De Gea will be assessed by United's medical team later today - depending on the severity, the keeper could be out for at least one week.
Spain generally struggled for their fluent best during this international break, with a 1-1 draw against Norway in their previous match coming in parallel circumstances as Josh King pegged them back through a last-gasp penalty.
"The same result, one day it tastes like victory and the other one like defeat," Moreno said. "I am happy with the team's game and with the players I have. It was a difficult game against a rival that eliminated great teams in the World Cup. We are very happy "
Qualification dedicated to Luis Enrique's daughter Xana
Moreno took charge of Spain full-time after Luis Enrique stepped down in June to spend time with his family. The former Barcelona coach's daughter Xana died in August aged nine, having suffered from osteosarcoma – a rare form of bone cancer.
"When you become a high-level team, like Spain, it is an obligation to qualify you," Moreno added. "I want to remember Luis Enrique and his family and dedicate the qualification to them."