NO

team, one of the two most important managers in the history of the Premier League, in my opinion, so they have the potential to come here and to give us a very difficult match.” Mourinho was forced to field a makeshift defence in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal in midweek and may be in a similar position today, with players out through injury and some having to play through the pain barrier.

“Smalling, Jones, Martial, Bailly, of course no Lindelof and Alexis, but we need answers,” said Mourinho. “For sure we’re going to play with players not at the maximum of their potential, but players who will make themselves available for the team, like Smalling did in the last match.”

Mourinho dropped £89m club record signing Paul Pogba in midweek, along with £75m striker Romelu Lukaku, as he got ruthless with his underperforming squad.

Lukaku, with one goal in 13 games, could miss out again today and Mourinho said: “He’s having a rest. He was injured and didn’t play a couple of matches because of injuries.”