Report: United incensed with Long after ugly tackle sidelines Fellaini

Shane Long's first-half challenge on Marouane Fellaini on Saturday has infuriated Jose Mourinho as he prepares his squad for Wednesday's trip to CSKA Moscow.

The angular Belgian won't be able to join his Manchester United teammates on that jaunt, according to The Telegraph's James Ducker, after Long's yellow-card incurring tackle left Fellaini writhing on St. Mary's turf with an injured ankle.

United is understood to be particularly perturbed by Long's challenge due to the lack of coverage it received. The club believes that had the tackle been performed by Fellaini, a player who's received 53 cautions and three red cards since joining the Premier League in 2008, it would've garnered more attention, and perhaps resulted in a dismissal.

The 29-year-old played out the rest of a 1-0 victory in Southampton, at one stage heading an effort from Oriol Romeu off the line. However, further inspection on the issue post-match rendered him unavailable for the midweek Champions League venture, which is an inconvenient absence given Paul Pogba is already working on his rehabilitation from a hamstring tear.

Mourinho described Fellaini as "much more important than you can imagine" in a press conference before the start of United's Champions League bid earlier in September, and the club is reportedly set to reward the midfielder with a new contract. His performances have had a detrimental effect on Ander Herrera's minutes, although the Spaniard could now be reintroduced in the wake of Fellaini's injury to line up alongside Nemanja Matic and Michael Carrick in the middle of the park. Juan Mata could also be deployed slightly deeper in Mourinho's midfield.

CSKA enters the midweek meeting having been frustrated by cross-town rival Dinamo Moscow in a 0-0 draw on Saturday. Last season's Russian Premier League runner-up recorded a shocking 2-1 win at Benfica in Group A's first matchday.