Jose backs axed skipper
Jose Mourinho insists Wayne Rooney is still a big part of his plans at Manchester United despite dropping the England captain.
United didn’t miss their star man against Leicester as goals from Chris Smal l ing, Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba’s first for the club gave the home side a 4- 0 halftime lead before Demarai Gray scored a spectacular consolation for the Premier League champions.
But speaking about Rooney, Old Trafford boss Mourinho said: “He’s a big player for me, a big player for United, a big player for this country.
“He’s my man, I trust him completely. He’s as happy as I am at this moment and that’s the team.
“It was a very good performance. It’s not easy to win against them and even more difficult to win in such a comfortable way.”
Rooney did make a cameo appearance when he replaced Marcus Rashford in the 83rd minute. Although the club captain struck a positive note as he waved and applauded the fans as he headed down the tunnel, his role
Man Utd ...................... 4 Leicester..................... 1
as the team’s driving force is under serious threat as Juan Mata filled his position superbly.
With Ander Herrera also preferred to Marouane Fellaini in the centre of midfield alongside Pogba, Mourinho’s side looked more like vintage United.
Mourinho added: “Today we had intensity, movement and dynamism. To be back home and beat the champions is good. Last season we couldn’t beat them and this season we have beaten them twice already.”
Smalling’s opening header midway through the first half was followed by some exceptional football.
Mata f ired home impressively before turning a Daley Blind corner into the path of Rashford and worldrecord signing Paul Pogba headed home his first goal for the club as United scored three in five minutes.
It was the first time since February 2001 the Red Devils had gone in at half-time of a Premier League match with a four-goal cushion so they were always likely to struggle to match that display in the second half.
Sub Gray’s exceptional effort reduced the deficit and Leicester threatened another. But United held firm to avoid a third straight league defeat in comprehensive fashion.
Andy King and Gray’s half-time introductions helping settle Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes down.
And the latter left everyone inside Old Trafford open-mouthed in the 59th minute, taking aim from distance and beating David de Gea with a stunning strike.
Ranieri said: “It is not possible to concede three goals from corners. We are usually very solid at corners and free-kicks, it was very strange. They are very tall but to score a smart goal from a corner is not possible.”