Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho admits that he is not too sure whether he wants to play Wayne Rooney on Thursday night as he wants to protect his captain.
Mourinho grabbed headlines on Saturday when he relegated the Manchester United captain to the bench against Leicester, and his decision was lauded after his side romped to a 4-1 win at Old Trafford.
Rooney was expected to start against Zorya Luhansk on Thursday night in the Europa League, but the Manchester United boss admits that the forward is not completely fit at the moment.
And the Portuguese is worried about playing a not hundred per cent Rooney as he is not comfortable with the amount of scrutiny the Manchester United captain’s performance could attract.
The Manchester United manager said in a press conference: "I haven't decided if he will start. He didn't train yesterday as he had a back problem.
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“I was completely convinced of playing him tomorrow.
“I’m not sure if I do that because with the situation that you create to him I think he really can’t afford to have a performance that is not really good and I am here to protect him and have to analyse the best thing for him.
“If he is not totally ready for it, I will discuss that with the medical staff.”
Rooney is three goals short of equaling Sir Bobby Charlton’s club record haul of 249 goals, but his lacklustre performances this season have attracted widespread criticism and scorn.
