The centre-back is a major doubt for Wednesday’s game with Blackburn Rovers, but United’s medical staff are reported to be confident that it isn’t a recurrence of his hernia problem.
Sir Bobby told The Journal: "Jonathan is sore in the groin area, but I don't want to say too much about it.
“I just hope he plays. He is in the squad, but he is stiff. We'll make a decision on Tuesday."
There is better news about Laurent Robert though, who has been given the go-ahead to return to training after visiting a specialist in Paris for an assessment of his knee injury.