The manager discussed his lineup decisions ahead of this weekend's match against Liverpool
Jose Mourinho broke down his lineup decisions on Wednesday, stating that there are places up for grabs as the club deals with injury issues.
A Carlos Soler strike and a Phil Jones own goal condemned the Red Devils to a loss at Mestalla, with a Marcus Rashford header proving mere consolation.
United had already secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League, but a victory would have seen them finish top of Group H given Juventus suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Young Boys.
Mourinho made eight changes to the team that beat Fulham 4-1 last Saturday, with Paul Pogba restored to the starting line-up and the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Andreas Pereira and Fred given the chance to impress ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Liverpool.
Mourinho admitted there was "a little bit of frustration" that he had to bring on Ashley Young, Rashford and Jesse Lingard in the second half, suggesting all three are in line to face Liverpool at Anfield.
However, he made it clear there are places up for grabs in the team, particularly due to injuries.
"Marcos Rojo no, because he's injured," he replied when asked if any of the starters against Valencia will keep their place. "The rest are not injured, they belong to the squad. We have lots of players that were not here because they are injured. This is our squad, our players. They have a chance to play Sunday.
"[Chris] Smalling is injured, [Victor] Lindelof is injured, [Matteo] Darmian is injured, [Anthony] Martial is injured, [Diogo] Dalot is injured. The only two players I could bring and didn't were [David] De Gea and [Nemanja] Matic.
"You are the first ones to make the stats and how many minutes he [Matic] is playing and that he needs a rest. If he doesn't have a rest in a match [where] we have already qualified, he would play until he explodes.
"It was a normal option to leave him out and [with] David it's to give a match to [Sergio] Romero. Romero is such a good goalkeeper; I played him in the Europa League final a couple of years ago."
Manchester United currently sit sixth in the league, eight points behind Arsenal and Chelsea.
tuzbdeipt
1
the man always making excuses......
watch about u sucker
Napbpsy
0
only a fool blame mourinho, 4 man united problem!
exactly, and unfortunately we have a lot of them
yohbklsy
1
only a fool blame mourinho, 4 man united problem!
yohbklsy
1
mourinho remains the special one, dispute the Cruise's we face.
vix_bayern//united
1
I say on Sunday against Liverpool rashford, martial and Lingard should start 🔥#GGMU
Mepablorsy
0
I hope mourinho is injured too...
wotdprty
0
the man always making excuses......
Yanbcdin
3
please martial should start nd lukaku benched
heccekl
0
I wish Martial was not injured
12UnitedGuyReborn
1
I hope it's Pogba and Jones that are injured
AnikemEzekiel
1
Mourinho as started is mind games again. weather you play it or not Liverpool will crush your team
U.S.A3382709
0
Jones is not a player to start in competitive games
We can see the bus parked already
Pemampry
2
lukaku must be benched on Saturday
Edekiowhe Henry Abra
0
I hope Martial will be ready this Sunday?
Dinesh_086
0
José should start, dalot, Bailey,Jones,young matic, Herrera, lingard,rashford,mata,lukaku. that's how he will beat Liverpool.
Dalot is injured
Raccksy
1
please please please please don't play lukaku on Sunday
Catemop
1
manu started to cry and excuse already b4 the Match with liverpool we have injuries too
el-paci
0
Beat Liverpool at Anfield with this current team? U r dreaming
You're the one that's dreaming, is it impossible to beat Liverpool? Even Van Gaal won at Anfield, what are you saying then? Or you're blind to see he started an experimental team yesterday
Hamacdlr
5
so man city has had the great KDB injured all year, aguero is part time, same with Mendy Silva was even out for sort time. don't hear pep crying
Maclaud
3
Mourinho! no excuse we expect you to end Liverpool's unbeaten record. We can't have such in the league.
Wilson11
0
Manu next training session will be polishing the team bus ready for Sunday , manu will frustrate Liverpool but if Liverpool score early on the flood gates will open , manu will set up 4-5-1 most likely and play for a draw which will be like a victory for them 👍
mighty96red
3
fipbdilort
1
Mourihno can't lost against Liverpool, he will defend and play counter attack and long passes.
liverpoli
0
José should start, dalot, Bailey,Jones,young matic, Herrera, lingard,rashford,mata,lukaku. that's how he will beat Liverpool.
With your performance at Valencia, you stand no chance
tiubcpr
3
Jones is not a player to start in competitive games
yihetyz
1
I've told you people..2nd team played against Valencia. .it doesn't matter MU lost. it was just an experiment team
cooclmtyz
0
José should start, dalot, Bailey,Jones,young matic, Herrera, lingard,rashford,mata,lukaku. that's how he will beat Liverpool.
Beat Liverpool at Anfield with this current team? U r dreaming
Niakmosz
1
José should start, dalot, Bailey,Jones,young matic, Herrera, lingard,rashford,mata,lukaku. that's how he will beat Liverpool.
Wiccdlt
2
I don't know what xcuse mourino will give to the world if he doesn't know that,the "Only way of defending is attacking" you can't park the bus to Liverpool, it will be a sure loss to mou.
V-Dubé
0
I can already see it. He has no ambition regarding this fixture. He plans to go there and tell the players to park the bus.
Tobisma_LFC
0
mourinho can never stop mind game.... it won't work for him this time
bewcnp
1
Mou is looking for injury excuses in advance for their defeat against Liverpool. 🤣