NOW JOSE’S DOWN TO 13 FIT PLAYERS...BUT CALLS IT ‘A BLESSING’

JOSE MOURINHO says Manchester United’s injury crisis may be ‘a blessing’ to toughen up the squad he inherited at Old Trafford. United have just 13 senior outfield players available for tomorrow’s game against Swansea after Marouane Fellaini was sent off in the Manchester derby and Tim Fosu-Mensah suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder. Fellaini will serve a three-match ban and was yesterday warned about his future conduct by the FA for failing to leave the field more quickly after he was shown a straight red card for headbutting Sergio Aguero. Mourinho is already without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Marcos Rojo, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones through injury and United are stretched to the limit. ‘In reality what we need now is one of the two centre backs to be back,’ said Mourinho, who joked about playing himself alongside teenager Axel Tuanzebe in central defence tomorrow. ‘Smalling and Jones were (injured) with the English national team, training. So maybe it’s a blessing, an opportunity to make the team stronger. Maybe it’s an opportunity to make them mentally stronger. Maybe it’s a blessing, so let’s see if they can come back.’ Asked about the mentality of the squad he inherited from Louis van Gaal, Mourinho added: ‘I think they missed happiness, trust, and belief, this extra bit that brings resilience, that brings you fight. ‘They have it, so the group, next July 9, when we meet again for next season, is a strong group. ‘The new players, when they will arrive, will find a group more ready to go for big things. But the reality is that we are fighting to win the Europa League and we are fighting to try to finish fourth, so let’s go.’ And having ruled out playing Wayne Rooney in midfield when he took over in July, Mourinho admitted that he might have to revise that plan. ‘Yes, he’s an option,’ said United’s boss. Meanwhile, it is understood that David de Gea has not asked to leave Old Trafford for Real Madrid, despite reports in Spain. United do not want to sell but Mourinho is believed to be looking at possible replacements.