Jose Mourinho has spoken about the effects of axing Wayne Rooney from his starting XI, and revealed which player will start in Manchester United's next game.
Read: Report: Mourinho's Message To Axed Rooney
The Portuguese tactician benched his captain for the game against Leicester City last weekend, with his team going on to thump the Premier League champions 4-1.
He explained, on Wednesday, that, while he initially wanted to start Rooney in the UEFA Europa League clash with Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk on Thursday, he might have to reconsider his decision due to the 30-year-old sustaining minor back injury.
"So I was completely convinced of playing him tomorrow from the beginning with this situation in the last couple of days, but I am not sure if I do that because of the situation you created with him," he said in his pre-match press conference, as quoted by the club's official website.
"Because I am here to protect him and not to put him in difficult situations, I have to analyse whether the best thing for him is to start the game if he is not totally ready for it."
United lost their Europa League opener against Feyenoord 1-0, and Mourinho insisted he wants to win this week's clash, before revealing which superstar will not be rested for the match.
"It is very important. We have to win. We have four matches after this and (if no win tomorrow) you have to win all the last four matches, which is difficult. So it is very important that we win the game," he added.
"We have two matches and then, for him (Ibrahimovic), it is two weeks without football.
"He has to play tomorrow and then Stoke. Then he will have plenty of time to rest."
Read: 15 Stars Whose Careers Were Made By Mourinho
Do you think Mourinho was right to bench Rooney? Have your say in the comments section below.
