'They were important before AFCON' - Fulham boss confirms Iwobi, Bassey will be involved v Man Utd 

Speaking to reporters at his pre-match press conference, Fulham manager Marco Silva confirmed that Super Eagles stars Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey will be involved in come capacity on Saturday afternoon when his side face off with an in-form Manchester United side at Old Trafford. 

Iwobi and Bassey headed straight to Fulham's training ground shortly after landing in the English capital, London following their commitments with the Nigeria team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The versatile midfielder played the entirety of the second half as the Cottagers were beaten 2-1 by Unai Emery's Aston Villa last weekend, while the central defender entered the game as a substitute in the closing minutes. 

Silva noted that Iwobi and Bassey are not lacking match fitness having played in every single game contested by the Super Eagles at the Africa Cup of Nations and emphasized that the Super Eagles duo remain key players for the team. 

When questioned about his decision to start the Nigerians on the bench against Aston Villa and whether it was a matter of providing them with additional rest, Silva replied: "Calvin and Alex it's not that they were not playing, they need time just to breathe a little bit.

"Alex played for 45 minutes, Calvin came in second half as well and now they are more than ready to start if I'm going to decide in this way.

"They are really important players for us but you know it's completely different, the weather was different, the load of the games was there.

"They played the final and it was a really intense final for them and when they lost the final we decided for them to come as quick as they can, to start recovery so that they can be ready for the game against Aston Villa and now they have a normal week.

"They are going to be involved again in the solutions for the match and that's what is going to be my decision but they are really important for us definitely.

"Before the African Cup, they were important, Alex scoring important goals and assisting; Calvin being really solid at the back as well. They are really important for us."

Summer signings Iwobi and Bassey have started twelve Premier League games each for the Cottagers who sit 12th in the standings ahead of the fixture with Erik ten Hag's Manchester United. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com