JOSE MOURINHO says there is no risk in playing comeback star Marcos Rojo against Brighton tomorrow.
Rojo made an outstanding return in the Champions League defeat to Basel in midweek after seven months out with ruptured knee ligaments.
He played the full 90 minutes but with fellow centre backs Eric Bailly and Phil Jones ruled out by injury again tomorrow Mourinho will have no hesitation starting the Argentina international again.
He said: “Bailly and Jones are out. Rojo played very well, we have to see how he is today, but the injury is gone. Fatigue? Maybe he feels a little bit but to be honest Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] and Paul [Pogba] returned before him agianst Newcastle last Saturday and Rojo was actually in better condition than them.
“He didn’t return before Basel because we had all the central defenders ready to play so we didn’t need to push him to the pitch and gave him time to prepare. So when he played on Wednesday he was more than ready for that match.”
Mourinho says the schedule of three Premier League games in a week gives United a chance to close the eight-point gap on neighbours and runaway leaders Manchester City – but only if Pep Guardioa’s team slip.
After Brighton, United will make trips to Watford on Tuesday and then Arsenal next Sunday while City face Huddersfield on Sunday, Southampton (Wednesday) and West Ham next weekend.
Mourinho added: “We cannot think about the gap to City – we just have to focus on ourselves and in matches. It’s probably the first time this season we have three Premier League matches in one week, with a couple of days in between matches, but, you know, I think every team is prepared for that even when I look to teams with other ambitions I see fantastic squads.
“So I think all the teams are going to cope with the week and for us it is a very important week with Brighton, Watford and Arsenal.
“But let’s focus on Brighton first. They are ninth in the table, a good team, difficult to beat, they don’t concede many goals, they have a mix of physicality, aggression, quality and creativity and I think Chris Hughton is doing a great job. We must focus on this one. I know we have a good record at home and are strong at home but the opponent is going to be difficult for us.”
Source:www.express.co.uk