Jose Mourinho has admitted some Manchester United players will be dropped for the Feyenoord game after flopping in the defeat to Manchester City.
The Red Devils went down 2-1 at home to their arch rivals, Kevin de Bruyne and Kelechi Iheanacho both scoring goals that could have been avoided.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic got the hosts back into it with a lovely volley, but it wasn’t enough to salvage a game which had already been lost by some hideous defending.
Responding to a question about some of his players’ performances, Mourinho told reporters, as per the Mirror:
“If you’re asking me if they’re going to play against Feyenoord [in United’s opening Europa League group game in Rotterdam on Thursday], then no.
“And it’s not to punish them, it’s just to decide in relation to what I have. And what do I have? Their performances. So of course I’m going to play other players.”
While the Special One didn’t mention specifically who would be dropped, he admitted Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard had struggled with the enormity of the occasion.
And yet, one player who was not overwhelmed was 18-year-old Marcus Rashford, who shone again after being brought on as a substitute.
United fans have been imploring Mourinho to play the striker after his late winner against Hull City, and after another decent performance, the Old Trafford boss is now ready to put his faith in Rashford by giving him a start.
“For me, the next big game is against Feyenoord – and the next game he’s (Rashford) going to play,” he added.
Mourinho’s side may have lost their 100% record in the league, but their attentions will now turn to the Europa League. It’s certainly not a competition the manager is used to, but it’s still another chance of a trophy this season.
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