Jose: Rashford scored twice, but people

usually a reality check. And when Liverpool reduced the deficit with 24 minutes left, the United boss let his pragmatism get the better of him by deciding Rashford would make way for the more muscular Marouane Fellaini.

Some United fans booed – before breaking into a standing ovation for one of their own.

Mourinho suggested they should blame Gary Neville.

“The fans can do what they want. I am not upset at all with that reaction,” said Mourinho, who then explained that the change was made because Rashford had been booked for a first-half lunge at James Milner. “At half-time, someone told me Gary Neville was asking for Marcus Rashford to get a red card and I was scared the referee was watching.

“So, when Marcus was defending, I remembered the pressure of Gary and made the decision to bring on a player who could get a yellow card. Marcus scored two goals in a big match against a top-class opponent. But if he hadn’t scored, then people would have questioned me.” It took Rashford 14 minutes to make his mark, timing his run to stay onside to perfection when Romelu Lukaku flicked on David De Gea’s goal-kick. Trent Alexander-arnold thought he had Rashford covered, but United’s No.19 produced a Cruyff-like turn to work a yard of space inside before burying an unstoppable finish past Loris Karius. Virgil van