Jose Mourinho doesn’t take any side lightly.
Top-level management would be easy if it was as simple as managers picking eleven of the most talented players at their disposal every week and allowing them to express themselves on the pitch.
It’s the intricate gameplanning and catering for the challenges posed by opposition players that sets the best apart from the rest.
Some eyebrows were raised when Jose Mourinho named Eric Bailly on the bench for Saturday’s visit of Swansea, while the decision to keep the faith with January arrival Alexis Sanchez also prompted some belly-aching from fans.
Five changes for #MUFC…
🔴 #MUNSWA ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/xUyE2lHqXn
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 31, 2018
Mourinho has explained why he picked Victor Lindelof over Bailly and Sanchez over Marcus Rashford for Manchester United’s 2-0 victory at Old Trafford and his explanation brought to light his opinion on the strengths of each.
“I try to know the way Swansea are coming and I try to choose players who are more adapted to this game,” Mourinho said of his selection. “For example, Lindelof is probably our centre-back who comes into the midfield better with the ball and is a better passer of the ball. Paul has quality passes and can make the change in direction.
“Alexis is different to Marcus [Rashford] because Marcus needs more space. Alexis, in small spaces, can manipulate the ball better and is trying his best to be one against one. So the decisions are based on that.”
